NEGARA ~

Siltation of river in Jembrana Regency as a result of inconsiderate waste dumping done by the residents around the river, has been disrupting the supply of water for agriculture.

“The impact of the river silting due to the garbage, not only flooding and disease, but also affects the flow of water for agriculture,” said Chief of Jembrana Environmental Office, I Wayan Darwin, in Negara.

According to him, due to deposition of garbage, especially those at the bottom of the river, causing the water stream narrowed, thus reducing the flow of water into rice field’s irrigation canals downstream.

Although the public has not fully aware not to throw garbage into the river, he claimed that he did not despair to provide understanding to them, including the installation of boards saying “No littering to the river”.

“With the continuous understanding, we hope that the culture of shame to throw garbage into the river will emerge and the communities along the river can keep it clean and keep an eye on it,” he said.

This time, to clean up litter and sediment in the river, he claimed, he just has three officers that specifically maintain the flow of the river in Negara.

According to him, the number of such officers is still lacking, so that in the 2014 budget changes, he will propose the addition of these officers, so the task of cleaning up the river is more effective.