River management: The importance of the roles of the public sector and community in river preservation in Banjarmasin (A case study of the Kuin River, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan – Indonesia)

Abstract

River management has a role for all parties concerned. The high population pressure on the environment of the Kuin River, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia has resulted in serious degradation. These conditions call for an effort of improvement. The objectives of this study were to investigate the interaction between people and the river environment, identify the programmes of the local government to improve the river, and explore the roles and obstacles faced by stakeholders in river management. The data were based on semi-structured interviews, surveys and documentation. The results showed that the river community utilized the river for their transportation, trading, and daily activities. Various efforts from the stakeholders, especially local government and community organizations, have been made for improving the condition of the Kuin River, but obstacles still remain. Such constraints come from the community’s lack of awareness of environmental preservation and the government’s lack of synergy with those involved in river management, including the obscurity on who is authorized to manage the river area. Therefore, coordination, cooperation and consultation among the stakeholders for every policy related to the river is necessary. The involvement of the local community also becomes essential for the integrated and sustainable river management.