IPB University students from the Department of Aquatic Resources Management (MSP), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) managed to transport as much as 201 kg of waste from the Ciliwung River in the Ciliwung Care Day activity. This step is an effort to clean up waste for the natural improvement of the river.

The waste cleanup action activity is the second series of Ciliwung Care Day (CCD), located on the banks of the Ciliwung River in Kedunghalang, Bogor. This activity is also a forum for IPB University students to apply the knowledge they have gained from lectures.

This time, CCD collaborated with Komunitas Peduli Ciliwung (KPC) and Tribunnews Bogor. The total waste collected in this second series was 201 kg, which was attended by 30 participants. The waste collected is dominated by plastic waste.

Themed ‘Towards Ciliwung River Ecosystem Balance’, this activity involved several IPB University student organizations (ormawa), namely the Aquatic Resources Management Student Association (Himasper), Aquaculture Student Association (Himakua), and Fisheries Resources Utilization Student Association (Himafarin).

Also present were Ir Gatot Yulianto, MSi (MSP IPB University Lecturer), Setiawati, SHut, MSi (Head of Environmental Governance, Environmental Office/DLH Bogor City), local government officials, and several communities in the Ciliwung Watershed (DAS).

“Activities that are collaboration-based and supported by discussions will definitely produce results. This is the beginning towards improving the natural quality of rivers around us, “said a lecturer at the MSP Department of IPB University, Ir Gatot Yulianto, MSi.

Focus Group Discussion (FGD) also involved several experts and surrounding stakeholders, such as Suparno from Komunitas Peduli Ciliwung (KPC). The results of the discussion revealed that the source of waste occurs because access or facilities in some areas are inadequate, as well as because there is a low level of awareness about disposing of waste where it should be.

This activity received a positive response from the surrounding community. This can be seen in the enthusiasm of the community when they share some food with the participants of Ciliwung Care Day activities in this second series. (*/Rz) (IAAS/MZS)

Sources: IPB News