2 MIN READ
12-12-2024
From Sofa Chairs to Flood Risks: Cleaning the Ijo Gading River
Kubik, 4ocean Bali Content Correspondent
On November 26, 2024, the 4ocean River Team in Jembrana tackled one of their most challenging cleanup missions at the Ijo Gading River. Led by Irkam and joined by dedicated crew members Fasta, Najib, Yusuf, Ali Rojali, Imam, and Ahmad Habibi, the team faced a familiar but disheartening scene: large household items carelessly discarded in the riverbed.
Despite its serene green waters, the Ijo Gading River has a darker side. Frequent floods carry bulky items like water tanks and sofa chairs downstream, often lodging them in mangrove roots or riverbanks. This debris doesn't just mar the landscape—it poses significant risks to the environment and the local community.
Among the 1,302 pounds of waste collected that day, the standout items included a massive water tank and a sofa. These objects, clearly out of place, tell a troubling story about community habits.
Crew member Yusuf shared his astonishment, "It’s hard to believe someone would toss a whole sofa into the river. We see this a lot after floods, and it’s heartbreaking. These items get stuck, cause flooding, and destroy the plants and trees that protect the riverbanks."
Removing a waterlogged sofa from the tangled roots of a mangrove tree is no easy feat. The crew faced not only the challenge of extracting the bulky item but also had to traverse muddy banks while their boat was parked some distance away.
Irkam, the team captain, took charge. He led the effort to drag the sofa back to the river, where it was washed to remove mud. The team then meticulously disassembled it:
- Washing and Separation: Synthetic leather and foam were stripped from the wooden frame.
- Packing and Transport: Non-organic components were bagged and loaded onto the boat for disposal.
- Natural Decomposition: The wooden frame, being organic, was left behind to decompose safely.
Ghost Net Bracelet
Shop Now - Clean The Ocean This isn’t just about cleaning up—it’s about preventing future floods. Large debris like sofas and water tanks block natural water flows, increasing the risk of floods. For communities relying on the river for clean water and daily needs, these blockages are more than an inconvenience—they’re a hazard.
Crew member Fasta emphasized the importance of raising awareness, "We need to change the mindset. People think floods will wash their waste away, but it just ends up stuck somewhere else, creating bigger problems."
The team’s efforts extend beyond physical cleanup. They aim to educate locals about the dangers of dumping household waste in rivers. Improper disposal doesn’t just pollute—it harms public health, promotes disease, and degrades the natural environment.
With each mission, the River Team hopes to foster a sense of responsibility and stewardship among residents. They believe that with awareness and action, the Ijo Gading River can once again become a symbol of natural beauty rather than neglect.
