Environmental Aspects of Water Management in Indonesia

Abstract

The condition of water resources in Indonesia seems to be gradually worsening. With a total land area of 1,904,350 sq.km., a population of approximately 142 million people and an average annual effective rainfall of 1,250 mm per year, the fresh water available in Indonesia at present is about 16,000 m³ per capita per year. This is rather high compared with the average availability of water in the world (10,000 m³ per capita per year in 1975, 6,000 m³ per capita per year in 2000). However, about 8% of the total land area, consisting of Java, Madura, Bali and the Nusa Tenggara islands, has faced critical conditions.

The water availability in those islands ranges from 2000–4000 m³ per capita per year, which will be lower than the world average in the year 2000. The quality of water is also degrading. Rapid population growth (2.1% per year), insufficient food production (1,900 tons of rice imported annually), shortage of employment opportunities (1.3 million additional labour force a year) result in a substantial burden on the environment. The implications are widespread, not only in the management of natural resources (including water) but also as regards the safeguarding of the quality of life and social well being.

A proper approach is sought for the planning and management of water and related resources, with special emphasis on the environmental aspects of the subject matter.