River not landfills

By M. Eko Nurcahyono

Yogyakarta city is located right between the peak of Mount Merapi in the north by the Indian Ocean in the south. This is the cause of DIY traversed much of the river that flows from the north and empties into the southern ashore. Call it the river Gendol, Kuning, Boyong, Opaque, Gajah Wong, Tambak Bayans, Winongo, Code, Progo and others. With it's mostly used as paddy irrigation water supply. Dams constructed so that the flow rate can be controlled and channeled to the rice fields.

Naturally these rivers drain the water from the top of Merapi to the Indian Ocean with a suspension of sand and dust Merapi volcanic deposits are still piling into upstream. Suspension of dust and sand are transported it that will restore the fertile soil in the lower reaches, especially along the banks of rivers and alluvial soil of rice fields in the valleys of Bantul and Kulon Progo and rehabilitate sand beaches along the south of the island of Java. This means that the existence of these rivers become very important for the sustainability and balance of land and water ecosystems. and not only provide water availability for the community Yogyakarta and surrounding areas.

But we realize it or not, today's society treats the river to go around. Humans still not wise to treat river properly. Now the river converted into landfills or household waste. Disposing of waste by throwing it into the river has started entrenched. Now the river water is no longer clean and healthy, it can even harm humans and the ecosystem as a whole.

When in fact, if cleanliness is maintained river, the river also has the potential to be a beautiful tourist destination object. If managed and developed tourism potential, the river can be interesting attractions, as well as a means of supporting education.

Take for example the Thuyul river located in the  Sumber Kidul hamlet, Brebah subdistrict, Sleman regency. Thuyul river which is a subsidiary of times Opaque very useful for education and tourism. How not, there found two different rock types are separated by water flow. Igneous rock texture shaped pillow lava in the west of the river and sedimentary rocks with a layered texture on the east river. Very rarely found in Jogja river that separates two different rock types. But unfortunately, a lot of garbage strewn right under the bridge even cause an unpleasant smell. Most plastic waste that is likely intentionally discharged from the bridge.

The problem then, similar waste problem is not only found in the river only. River as an alternative to landfills seems to have been so badly implicated in our society. Appeal board which aims to maintain the cleanliness of the river seems to no longer be ignored. Things like this certainly can not be allowed because it would threaten inland water ecosystems as well as lowering the quality of river water quality standards.

If this is left unchecked, the physical properties of water such as odor, color and flavor will change. Water will rancid to foul when dissolved organic waste decomposes. When the dissolved organic material increases, there will be a change of color due to an increase in plankton or other microorganisms. So that the taste of the water will also be affected by the high levels of dissolved pollutants that contaminate the waters. Of course the content of pollutants also have an impact on the physical properties of water such as dissolved oxygen in the water (BOD), water temperature, degree of acidity (ph) of water, and metals that are harmful to human health.

Obviously we need to be wise to not throw garbage in the river. Rivers is not the landfills. Throw garbage in the river is tantamount to poison themselves, their families and our own brothers. In addition, the necessary systemic and holistic treatment from the government to resolve the problem. Environmental education must be fostered both formally and informally. The role of families and communities in providing exemplary and control really should pioneered. In the process control, if still found violations should be prosecuted and sanctioned. Sanctions should be imposed also is socially sanctioned form of community service and environment. So that people truly understand and are aware of the preservation of nature around us.

Sungai bukan tempat pembuangan sampah

Oleh M. Eko Nurcahyono

Kota Yogyakarta berada tepat diantara puncak gunung Merapi di sebelah utara dengan samudera Hindia di sebelahselatan. Hal ini yang menjadi penyebab DIY dilalui banyak aliran sungai yang mengalir dari utara lalu bermuara kepantai selatan. Sebut saja kali (sungai) Gendol, Kuning, Boyong, Opak, Gajah Wong, Tambak bayan, Winongo, Code, Progo dan lain-lainnya. Dengan itu sebagian besar dimanfaatkan sebagai suplai air irigasi persawahan. Bendungan-bendungan dibangun supaya debit aliran dapat dikendalikan dan dialirkan ke areal persawahan.

Secara alami sungai-sungai tersebut mengalirkan air dari puncak merapi sampai samudera hindia dengan membawa suspensi pasir dan debu vulkanik Merapi yang masih menumpuk menjadi deposit di hulu sungai. Suspesi debu dan pasir yang terangkut itu yang nantinya akan merestorasi tanahsubur di bagian hilir terutama di sepanjang bantaran sungai dan tanah alluvial persawahan dilembah-lembah bantul dan kulon progo serta merehabilitasi pasir pantai di sepanjang selatan pulau Jawa. Artinya keberadaan sungai-sungai tersebut menjadi sangat penting bagi keberlangsungan dan  keseimbangan ekosistem daratan maupun perairan. serta tidak hanya memberikan ketersediaan air bagimasyarakat Jogja dan sekitarnya.

Tetapi disadari atau tidak, saat ini masyarakat memperlakukan sungai dengan seenaknya. Manusia masih belum bijak untuk memperlakukan sungai dengan semestinya. Kini sungai beralih fungsi menjadi tempat pembuangan sampah maupun limbah rumah tangga. Membuang sampah dengan melemparkannya kesungai telah mulai membudaya. Kini air sungai pun tak lagi bersih dan sehat, bahkan dapat membahayakan umat manusia maupun ekosistem secara keseluruhan.