Selling the Charms of Bengawan Solo’s Estuary

Using village funds and a company’s CSR fund, Pangkahwetan village has been successful in driving the local economy.

Kompas/Adi Sucipto

Visitors explore the Bengawan Solo estuary on 21 Nov. 2017 in Pangkahwetan, Ujungpangkah district, Gresik regency, East Java. The tourist destination features a mangrove park, a walking tour of Gili Krasakan (Nyamukan) island, seafood culinary fare and selfie spots for group photos.

The people of Gresik at the estuary of Bengawan Solo have constructed a tourist area that combines water tourism, an island with white sands, swaths of mangrove forest, a selfie spot and a culinary center. Using village funds and a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund, Pangkahwetan village has been successful in driving the local economy and increasing its revenue.

When one hears about Bengawan Solo, sad images may come to mind — landslides, broken dams and floods inundating homes and rice fields. Locals living on the river’s estuary wish to change this image as Bengawan Solo has many hidden charms.