The Citarum River as our front yard: A case of community engagement in Bintang Alam, Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesia is facing not only a severe problem of solid waste management and river sustainability but also a lack of community awareness in managing the environment. This paper explores community engagement activities conducted in Bintang Alam, Karawang, Indonesia, to improve the community concern regarding the Citarum River, which is located close to the community under study. This community of Bintang Alam has been involved in constructing a trail along the river to provide a shortcut from a housing complex to the nearest mosque and planting fruit trees along the riverbank. The waste composition was analyzed by Indonesia Standard of SNI 19.3964.1994. To reduce the amount of waste disposed of in the river and landfills, the residents favor the development of a waste bank. Eight months of observation documented excellent progress in residents’ awareness of the importance of managing the trail, eliminating waste disposed of along the river banks, but no improvement in developing a waste bank. It has been suggested that community engagement involving multiyear grants might make more continuous advocacy in the community possible. The characteristics of funding, which is in the form of a grant with a prescribed deadline, often hinder sustainable advocacy.