Commemorating the World Water Day, IPB Students Trace the Ciliwung River

The Student Association of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Himatesil), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Dept. SIL-Fateta), Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), traced the Ciliwung River in Sukasari area of Bogor city (22/3) to celebrate the World Water Day.

Himatesil collaborated with Ciliwung Care Community (KPC) and local guide of Bogor-Bandung in carrying out this tracing activity. The action was also followed by the student volunteers from SIL Department.

"In addition to commemorate the world water day, this activity also aims to invite students to be more concerned with the conditions of water in Indonesia, especially clean water. We know that the quantity of water on earth still remains, but the quantity of clean water that can be used for daily purposes is lower and lower. Rivers in various parts of the world are polluted and the quality of river water decreases," said Chairman of Action, Dwina.

Ciliwung River became one of the targets because it is one of the rivers that often overflows during the rainy season and causes flooding in some areas due to much garbage dumped into the river.

"The tracing activity of this river was done to clean the Ciliwung River from garbage starting from the alley of Sukasari Mosque. Because of the impossible condition (rain) and the rushing river flow, the activity continued to Sukamulya by walking on residential and main roads. Pulo Geulis area was the last point of the river fringing," she explained.

Through this activity, she hoped to be able to invite and motivate other students to keep the available water sources, starting from the smallest activity such this Ciliwung River tracing.

In addition to fringe the river, they also conducted a social campaign in Sempur Park, Bogor. The target of this activity was the general public and students.

"We interviewed several residents about the water and river conditions. Then we provided information and images about the water and Ciliwung River, hoping that the community will be more sensitive to the environmental issues, especially about water, and to protect the environment for a better future. At the end, we gave candies to society," she said. (TK)