People, planet and project : transforming the most polluted river in the world : a study on communities along the West Tarum Canal

Abstract

Citarum River, the longest river in West Java Province in Indonesia, has recently been known as the most polluted river in the world. To face the challenge, the Government of Indonesia, with assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB), set the Integrated Citarum Water Resources Management Investment Program (ICWRMIP). Rehabilitation of West Tarum Canal (WTC), among other project components, aims to improve the flow and quality of water that provides 80% of Jakarta’s surface water needs, in addition to supplying the water requirements of industrial establishments and about 52,800 hectares of farmland. Relocation of people who are living and working along the canal on land belonging to the government and within the easement boundaries of the canal is required. Their assets minus their land, including the buildings, crops and trees are compensated by the WTC project. Results of this study show that the project failed in moving illegal dwellers out of the restricted area. It seems that customary ties between communities and the canal cannot be broken down by their illegal status of land ownership nor a luxurious compensation for the lost assets. This study recommends strong law enforcement and proper spatial design ensuring communities to collectively behave as virtuous citizens.