Melingai and BWS measure river water quality in South and Central Kalimantan

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan 20/9 (AntaranewsKalsel) - The River-care Community (Melingai) together with the Hall of River (BWS) II conducted a forest exploration as well as river cruising to determine the current state of forests and water.

In an activity entitled "Ekspedisi Susur Sungai 2017" (2017 River Cruising Expedition) they measured water quality on several rivers parts of Barito River, said Mohammad Ary, the team leader, on Wednesday.

They journey from Friday (15/9) to Monday (18/9) night involving eight members of the team in charge of measuring water quality and observing the condition of the forest, the river ecologically and morphologically.

The results of this activity is as a starting material to be brought into the discussion forum in the Indonesian River Congress (KSI) III, which is scheduled to take place in Banjarmasin on 1-4 November 2017.

On the way along the Tapin River, they also saw the development of Pipitak Jaya dam and the area that planned to be drowned.

The expedition team went on through the forest path to Loksado, South Hulu Sungai, and conducted a forest exploration. Here too they measured water quality and took a sample.

In the Loksado Forest, they encountered are many spicies of typical wet tropical forests, various bamboo plants, various orchids, various animals, including some rare frogs, said Zainuddin, a reftil researcher from Lambung Mangkurat University who participated in the group.

The delegation also visited the Loksado Dayak tribe, talking about their life which is quite prosperous with the cultivation of cinnamon, candle nut, and rubber.

After Loksado, the team slid through forest road to Hantakan area, Central Hulu Sungai District. On the way was seen a lot of dense forest, shifting cultivation, and people's plantation.

In Hantakan, they also did the measurement of water quality as well as taking water samples to be researched again.

Then the team continued to Paringin to take samples of Balangan river water, and continued to Tabalong, also do the same activities.

After Tanjung, the entourage proceed to the Barito River, Muara Teweh. They took samples water as well as enjoying the village tour with lanting houses on the water which are strikingly colorful.

Next to Puruk Cahu, the group had a meeting with the Head of Murungraya (Mura) Environmental Agency Pujo. He explained the condition of Barito River water has been damaged due to thousands of sand and gold mining activities in the upstream.

Pujo expects the government to develop the people's economy on land, for example, to develop upland agriculture in the highlands so that the people's economy will increase and they will not run for the fortune to the river.