Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, represented by the Assistant Deputy (Asdep) for Watershed Management and Natural Resources Conservation M. Saleh Nugrahadi, visited Citarum on October 25, 2021. This visit aimed to show local governments and Green Infrastructure Initiative consultants regarding water and wastewater management in the Citarum River, West Java

During this visit, Asdep Saleh conveyed that the integrated management of the Citarum River could be an example for other regions, especially Central Java and East Java in the context of green infrastructure.

“It is hoped that the management of the Citarum watershed can provide an overview and inspiration for other areas, such as Bengawan Solo for example, regarding good practices in watershed management. Like ‘Citarum Harum’, Central Java and East Java can also have ‘Bengawan Solo Ayu'”

During this visit, there were also representatives from the Citarum River Basin Center (BBWS), the Citarum Task Force (SATGAS), the West Java Provincial Environment Service, the Secretariat of the West Java Housing and Settlement Service (PERKIM), the West Java BAPPEDA, and GIZ as a consultant. technical for GII

The visit started with the Cieunteung Retention Pool, West Java. The group was then welcomed by Sector Commandant (Dansektor) 6 Colonel Hermantoni who explained in detail about the management of the critical land of Citarum, namely by planting 13,198 trees, using fishery demonstration plots with bios fertilizer 44; handling of industrial waste by inspection of waste water sampling, guidance and routine handling; the handling of waste management is by collaborating with the West Java Environment Agency and the Shining Waste Bank. In addition, as a form of education to the community, socialization is routinely carried out on environmental hygiene in schools and places of worship. As for water resources management, Colonel Hermantoni explained, 180,715 m3 of sediment has been transported throughout 2021 and 4 Oxbows have been maintained in Bojongsoang, Cibarangbang, Wargamekar, and Jelekong.

The participants from other provinces were enthusiastic about the visit to Citarum Harum as a form of information exchange, especially on how to educate the public not to throw garbage into the river.

The visit was then continued to the Citarum Nursery, welcomed by Dansector 23 Colonel Wahyu Jiantono. Colonel Wahyu explained the various efforts that had been made in implementing his tree nursery as the Citarum Harum Program which aims to restore the condition of the Citarum river from upstream to downstream in a better direction. The process of forest and critical land rehabilitation is carried out by cultivating various kinds of trees and fruit plants such as arabica coffee, cultivation of superior kelly bright or red giant strawberries, planting kabocha pumpkins and innovating to empower ponds and small rivers around them which are used as tourist attractions.

After that, the visit continued to Situ Cisanti KM 0 and was accepted by Sector 1. There, the group was explained about good practices in converting dirty water into clean water, exchanging information about the online monitoring system (ONLIMO) for water quality, as well as good practices for handling fragrant Citarum with pentahelix management. After that, the group visited the Cisirung Integrated Wastewater Treatment Plant (IPAL) located in Dayeuhkolot.

West Java Province is one of the partner provinces where the Green Infrastructure Initiative operates. As stated by the Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil, West Java is committed to implementing and utilizing this green initiative to build West Java towards a region with a sustainable mission.