33 Lakes Disappear in 10 Years

The government plans to revitalize dozens of disappearing and damaged lakes. Problems persist, including land acquisition.

Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro

An aerial view on Tuesday (4/4) of Situ Rompong in Rempoa, East Ciputat district, South Tangerang, shows the reservoir hemmed in by residential neighborhoods. Rompong is one of 21 reservoirs in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, South Tangerang and Bekasi that will be certified. The certificate, which declares reservoirs as state property, is expected to halt and prevent the unauthorized conversion of reservoirs.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – From 2007 to 2017, 33 lakes in Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi have disappeared. This disappearance of natural reservoirs has led to the expansion of drainage basins.

The disappearance of and damage to downstream lakes has also damaged upstream ecosystems in regions such as Bogor. “We need to work together to protect and maintain the optimization of lakes,” National Land Agency (BPN) director general for spatial use and land control management Budi Situmorang said on Monday (12/2) in Jakarta.