BRANTAS RIVER, between THE PROBLEM and SOLUTION

BRANTAS RIVER, between THE PROBLEM and SOLUTION

By: Ahmat Nurul Fauzar

Brantas River, the river extends from Source Brantas Batu, Malang then flows into Blitar, Tulungagung, Kediri, Jombang, Mojokerto, and finally to Surabaya has an area of ​​approximately 12,000 km2 and has a length of about 320 km. The river is known a predicate longest river in Java after the Bengawan Solo River. By knowing about the potential for data collection on the river's surface water per year average of 12 billion m³. Untapped potential of 2.6 to 3.0 billion m³ per year. So of course, this river has a huge potential for people who are in its path around the area, because the river is also potentially a very big water resource for the people and keep in mind as well as a major supplier of the main source of irrigation or irrigation from major rivers to rivers small and eventually into the adjacent lands where most people are farmers. Because basically the Brantas River has a very important function for the East Java since 60% of rice production from rice fields along the river's flow. Besides these rivers also play an important role in other sectors such as domestic consumption, irrigation, health, industry, recreation, power generation, and many others.

The condition of the Brantas River in the current period is very alarming. Because along from time to time, the river is declining in terms of the condition of the River Basin and in terms of the integrity of sanitation and water quality due to pollution has exceeded the normal threshold. Since the results of the data that has been observed that the cleanliness of the water collected in the Brantas River has decreased regularly every year. We can take a sample of data that describes that there are about 330 tons per day of waste water resulting from human activity along the Brantas River Basin of Regional. And the data is also mentioned that about 483 industries have direct influence on the Brantas River with the contribution of pollution to 125 tons per day (Antara News, 2006). Thus causing the water in most of the flow in the river is not feasible for use in household activities.

Apart from the sanitation, water, on the other hand also explained that in terms of the condition of the watershed river was also very poor and very problematic. It has also been observed from the results of data collection is explained that as much as 68% of the Brantas River Basin is damaged. Besides, in most of the banks of the River Basin have been converted improperly, such as the banks of the river used to be agricultural land for the community around the river is that it should serve as a barrier-prone areas of catastrophic flood if the water in the river catchment capacity is not enough to accommodate the flood. This is what will continue to happen if people do not pay attention to their impact on the surrounding environment, is not only concerned with their own interests. Besides information from the Data Environment Agency (BLH) states that water resources in the Brantas River has been reduced, the fountain or spring that originally contained the Brantas River springs 117 points, now only 53 springs in the Brantas River. Why is that? Because the rate of cutting trees in the surrounding areas of the Brantas River and land clearing activities recently also higher, resulting watershed as the water source for the Brantas River also reduced drastically.

Noting it was getting worse, we should have to be a self-evaluation of the problems that are happening. Given the Brantas River is partly the source of production for most of the people that of course we should also contribute in solving this problem. Extension, Watershed revitalization along the stream, fulfillment mass reforestation, and promotion of hygiene and management of water supply and waste disposal that would not only organized and wisely, but also should pay attention to eco-friendly aspects in order to conserve more glory river Brantas. And besides tackling the Watershed of Upper Brantas River had often done based Integrated Plan System of the layout, the design or concept to be implemented with a clear operational policy and complete stages for the management and handling damage Brantas River watershed upstream region. This is not only done by the leaders of glasses or educated people as well, but the need for awareness, quick handling and response from all communities. This is so that all persons may create behavioral aware of the environment around them and they can think twice so that all the activities they would not have a serious impact on their own environment.