Bangka Belitung Faces Water Crisis Amid Environmental Degradation Concerns

Hana Fitri (27) and Yustika (51) were washing dishes, clothes, and rice in a man-made pond that only retained water up to an adult's calf. The pond is located near the fruit garden or 'kelekak' belonging to Mang Yan (65), a resident of Zed Village, Mendo Barat District, Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Province. “Around here, this pond is all that's left. It's still holding on, perhaps because there's a spring,” said Mang Yan on Sunday (22/8/26). Every year, residents of Zed Village welcome family and relatives from outside the area. The villagers become busy cooking 'ketupat' and preparing various cakes, similar to Eid al-Fitr celebrations. The main road in Zed Village is often filled with vehicles from morning till night. This tradition is held to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad SAW. Yustika said residents are worried about this year's Maulid. This is because most of them are experiencing water difficulties. “The wells are starting to dry up, the river water is receding,” she explained. Residents of Zed Village depend on water supplied through Pamsimas (Community-Based Drinking Water and Sanitation Provision). However, for the past two weeks, the water has not been flowing evenly to all homes. In a day, only about a hundred households receive their quota. “After getting water, we have to wait until next week,” said Hana Fitri, Yustika's neighbor. Hana Fitri and Yustika wash clothes and rice in the remaining water pond around Zed Village, Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung. Photo: Nopri Ismi/Mongabay Indonesia. This situation is not unique to Zed Village. Similar incidents are occurring in several neighboring villages, such as Puding Besar Village, Paya Benua Village, and Kemuja Village. Along the road towards Pangkalpinang City, Mongabay Indonesia has observed residents bathing in several rivers multiple times... This article was originally published on Mongabay