Yogyakarta City Government to Normalise River to Support White-Water Rafting Tourism

The Yogyakarta City Government will undertake river management in the Code River flow in the Jetis area by normalising sedimentation and removing rocks to support potential white-water rafting in the city centre. ‘Our plan after the river susur (river walk) is that in a week or two we will deploy heavy equipment, then we will clean and normalise this river,’ said Yogyakarta Mayor Hasto Wardoyo after leading the river Susur of the Code River in Yogyakarta on Friday. He noted that in the next fortnight heavy machinery would be used to tackle sedimentation and large stones hindering river flow. The move is part of efforts to shape Sungai Code to support rafting tourism. ‘Because at several points the river is becoming shallower, with sediment and large rocks in the middle,’ he said. In addition to river works, the mayor stressed the importance of educating the public not to dispose of waste in the river. He argued that Sungai Code conservation must be a joint endeavour to protect the environment and water quality. ‘We will push large rocks to the banks, clear chicken coops that exist, and then socialise with residents so they understand not to throw rubbish into the river,’ he said. He said the move reflected Sungai Code’s potential as a special-interest tourism destination in Yogyakarta. The concept of a river susur and urban rafting could be developed for recreation and sport, as well as environmental education. ‘Going forward, we will have a river susur and arung jeram in Yogyakarta on Sungai Code. This is not only for recreation and sport, but also to clean the environment and keep the water clean,’ he added. The mayor noted that the experience of paddling the Code River with the Indonesian Rafting Federation (FAJI) and city officials provided much information previously not known firsthand. Among the issues that still need addressing along the Sungai Code banks are the presence of rubbish, chicken coops, buildings on the riverbank, and sedimentation at several points.