Domestic Waste Remains Major Problem For Ciliwung River

Jakarta, Jan 7 (ANTARA) - Domestic waste continues to be a major source of pollution for Ciliwung River, which passes through Jakarta and is prone to flooding, according to a government official. "The major problem facing Ciliwung River is the pollution from domestic waste, which starts from the upstream and goes all the way downstream," said Arief Yuwono, the Environment Ministry`s deputy minister for environmental degradation control and climate change, here on Monday. Industrial waste, erosion and sedimentation, and the lack of infiltration system and husbandries also contribute to the damage and pollution of Ciliwung River. "The damage and pollution of Ciliwung has also led to the creation of 97 flood-prone points in Jakarta," Arief noted. According to Environment Ministry data, the forest coverage around Ciliwung River has drastically reduced during the 2000-10 period. "This has happened presumably due to spatial violations and lack of comprehensive, integrated and environmentally sustainable natural resource management," Arief pointed out. "Residential areas along the river were not subject to the necessary restrictions with regard to vegetation coverage," he stated. "Besides spatial violation, the river also became a dumping ground for domestic waste," Arief continued. He pointed out that the solution to the problem would involve better management of solid and liquid wastes from domestic as well as industrial sources. "What we need to achieve is improved land management and protection of upstream, midstream and downstream portions of the river, as well as restoration and reforestation efforts," Arief added.