Indonesia Praises Community Role in River Restoration at National Conference

The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLH/BPLH) lauded the crucial role of river communities in restoration efforts during the "2026 Indonesia National River Conference" held from July 25-27 in Trawas, Mojokerto Regency, East Java. The conference, themed "Caring for Rivers, Restoring Life," aimed to strengthen joint steps in river conservation. Around 500 participants from 15 provinces, 53 regencies/cities, and representatives from 33 river basins (DAS) across Indonesia attended the three-day event, serving as a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and reinforcing collaborative networks for tangible solutions in river restoration. Minister of Environment and Forestry/Head of BPLH, Moh Jumhur Hidayat, expressed his appreciation for the community's role as the primary driver in maintaining and restoring rivers in various regions. He emphasized the importance of public involvement in these efforts. "All civilizations, including in Indonesia, certainly leave their traces in rivers. You all are doing that in your respective places and are ready to collaborate with anyone, especially with the government, academics, entrepreneurs, corporations, and so on," Jumhur stated. River preservation efforts are increasingly vital amidst the challenge of declining water quality. National water quality monitoring in 2025 revealed that out of 6,245 locations covering 1,926 rivers and 109 lakes, only 234 water bodies met quality standards, while 1,801 were polluted. Key pollutants include Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform, and chlorine, stemming from domestic waste, livestock, and industrial activities. East Java Provincial Secretary, Adhy Karyono, highlighted the provincial government's drive to encourage multi-stakeholder involvement in river conservation. Programs like "River Tracking" and "Water Patrols" are ongoing to build public awareness. "We often conduct River Tracking together, but that's not enough. Therefore, we once again thank the activists and environmental lovers, and we have also officially established the 'Water Patrol.' This is certainly a manifestation of our cooperation, alongside the business world, academics, and media, all concerned about how to save and preserve our rivers," Adhy said. The conference also produced several joint commitments, including the reading of the River Community Declaration, tree planting activities, interactive dialogues, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KLH/BPLH and the Indonesian Rafting Federation (FAJI). This collaboration is expected to strengthen river protection and support sustainable river utilization, including water tourism and rafting, while prioritizing ecological functions. Rahmalinda, a member of the Aceh Water Conservation Community, expressed hope that the conference's outcomes would translate into concrete actions. "Hopefully, this conference will not just be a ceremony. We hope it will serve as a record for the ministry and for us in the community. At least we have a plan for next year, and it doesn't stop here," she stated. Through the National River Conference 2026, KLH/BPLH aims to optimize efforts in preserving rivers as sources of life. Multi-stakeholder collaboration is considered a crucial foundation for creating sustainable river ecosystems and supporting the continuity of community life.