Clean Water Difficulty in Labuan Bajo Tourism Area Through Rainwater Harvesting Installation from UI School of Environmental Science
August 9, 2023 2024-12-21 17:17Clean Water Difficulty in Labuan Bajo Tourism Area Through Rainwater Harvesting Installation from UI School of Environmental Science
Clean Water Difficulty in Labuan Bajo Tourism Area Through Rainwater Harvesting Installation from UI School of Environmental Science
The Vice Regent of West Manggarai, dr. Yulianus Weng, M.Kes. said that, “The problem of clean water is something that always happens in West Manggarai, although currently in the labuan bajo city area clean water is starting to be abundant, but in villages such as Warloka, Golomori, Rinca Island water is still difficult,” he said. The environmental and natural conditions in West Manggarai Regency, which are arid, dry, and often experience a water crisis, inspire the community service team (pengmas) from the School of Environmental Science (SIL) of the University of Indonesia (UI) to contribute to the local community, according to the fields of science of the servants.
The SIL UI community service team carried out their work program through the installation of a permanent rainwater harvesting installation in West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The ten-member team, with backgrounds in engineering, regional development, environmental health, geology, business, and social affairs, carried out activity planning starting from the literature study stage, design planning and rainwater potential schemes, to field surveys.
The Head of Kampung Lenteng and Soknar Hamlets in Golomori Village, Abdul Rajak, and the Imam of Zihadul Qaromah Mosque in Kampung Lobo Usu in Golobilas Village, Jafar, expressed their positive responses and gratitude for the benefits they felt from the UI community service. They agreed that the rainwater harvesting installation was very helpful for the community to meet their clean water needs.
The installation of rainwater harvesting installations in both locations is very targeted and realizes the 6th goal of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), namely by ensuring access to clean water and proper sanitation for the community. Previously, in 2021, several SIL UI lecturers had the opportunity to visit Labuan Bajo for a planned collaboration with the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority (BPOLBF).
At that time, the Head of the Master of Environmental Science Study Program, Dr. Hayati Sari Hasibuan found ideas related to the program to develop research in the field of environmental science by integrating it through community development efforts and regional potential. Based on suggestions and directions from several parties such as the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority (BPOLBF), the West Manggarai Regional Development Planning, Research and Development Agency (BAPPEDA), and several ranks of the West Manggarai Regency government office at a discussion forum with four UI community service teams, the idea emerged to install a rainwater harvesting system located at the Zihadul Qaromah Mosque, Lobo Usu Village, Golobilas Village, and at the Lenteng Village Mosque, Golomori Village, Komodo District, West Manggarai Regency, NTT.
Shana Fatina, President Director of BPOLBF, said that Lenteng and Soknar in Golomori Village are suitable locations for the activity, as they are still under BPOLBF’s authority and close to the Special Economic Zone. “Warloka Village, Golobilas, and on Papa Garang Island, Rinca Island also have water shortages, because they buy water from Labuan Bajo city,” Shana said.
The secretary of BAPPEDA of West Manggarai, Jhon Valbis, said that in Lobo Usu Village, Golobilas Village, the water quantity is large, but the quality is poor. Some of the suggestions and directions from the local agency head officials during the meeting with SIL UI in the hall of the West Manggarai Regent’s Office were about the selection of the location, which is expected to bring benefits to the community in the location of the Labuan Bajo tourist buffer zone.
After the rainwater harvesting installation at the location, it will help the community meet their clean water needs, which will have a positive effect on promoting the tourism potential of the area. SIL UI Community Service Team Leader, Dr. Hayati Sari Hasibuan said that this activity is expected to be sustainable and continued by the West Manggarai Regency government and BPOLBF in partnership with UI as a technical team. She added that the rainwater harvesting system comes from rainwater (nature) which will always be available in a cycle.
Similar programs have been conducted several times by SIL UI in Jakarta and Cikarang in collaboration with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Unilever Indonesia Foundation. The program has been replicated by the provincial government of DKI Jakarta as one of its programs and has received a positive response from the government and the community.
SIL UI lecturer, Dr. Ahyahudin Sodri, representing other community service members said, “Through this rainwater harvesting system, the mindset regarding whether this tool can only function during the rainy season needs to be changed. Start by thinking about how to maximize and optimize the rainwater that is available during the rainy season to be utilized so that there is no excess water that is not used during the rainy season,” he said.
