Govt Bans Use of Mt. Muria Spring Water for Commercial Gains
August 26, 2015
The government of Central Java Province has ordered the exploitation of natural springs across the Muria mountain range - which spans across the regencies of Kudus and Jepara. Prior to the ban, much of the springs across the mountain were exploited for commercial gains.
Central Java's Head of the Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, Teguh Dwi Paryono, said that springs across Muria Mountain should not have been used for commercial purposes - for example, to be processed, packed and sold as drinking water and/or refills. "These springs should be maintained for agricultural purposes, as well as primary water sources for local residents," he said in Semarang on August 25, 2015.
Teguh said that the majority of companies which are found to have been commercially exploiting Muria's spring waters are owned by local residents - and such practices have gone on for decades, which has caused water shortages for farmers who rely on Muria's springs for irrigation. In fact, several conflict has erupted as a result of such actions.
By stopping the exploitation of these springs, said Teguh, farmers will consequently receive more water to irrigate their crops.
That said, Teguh admits that the exploitation has yet to reach a point where it could be categorised as destructive. "The spirit of our decision is to let the springs revert to its natural purpose - that is, to benefit the society at large, as outlined by the Law on Water Resources," he said.
Prior to the decision, several civil organisations and academics have voiced their concerns over the exploitation of Muria's spring waters - the most recent of which was held on April 13, 2015 at Central Java's Governor's Office.
The Head of the Alliance for the Protection of Mountain Springs from Commercial Exploitation, Achmad Fikri, has called on the Central Java Administration, as well as the government of Kudus Regency to put a stop on all exploitations of mineral water springs across the slopes of Muria Mountain.
Achmad said that the exploitation could be dated back to 1995 - when hundreds of thousands litres of spring water from Muria Mountain were diverted to be repacked and sold as drinking water - a practice that he deems hazardous to the sustainability of the springs across the slopes.
Source: en.tempo.co
