Lakes have an essential role in life. This lake is in the form of a large land basin that contains or holds large amounts of water. In the rainy season, the lake usually has rainwater so that it does not enter and cause flooding in the settlements of local residents.
Not surprisingly, in cities that support the capital city of Jakarta, such as Depok, lake maintenance is an important thing that must be done. This is to ensure that the lake’s condition remains normal, does not occur siltation, is free of garbage, and can function optimally to prevent the risk of annual flooding that usually happens.
In collaboration with the Acsena Humanis Response Foundation (AHRF), Environmentally aware community groups carried out the Action to Save Pengengan Lake, Depok as a conservation area, water reserves, flood control, and several other activities. The scheme of action taken is to clean up aquatic weeds (Eichhornia crassipes) contaminated by livestock and household waste.
In addition to preventing the occurrence of floods, there are several benefits of lakes that are no less important for life. Lakes have an essential role in providing clean water reserves, resources to generate electricity to the benefits of ecotourism that can be enjoyed by the general public and can grow micro-economy for the surrounding community amid this pandemic.
According to our observations, the function of lakes in the buffer zone of the capital city of Jakarta, such as in Depok, is dominated by irrigation (44%), followed by water tendons (31%), flood control (10%), fisheries (8%), nature tourism (3%) and others. (4%).
Apart from natural functions, lakes also have considerable benefits, including socioeconomic benefits such as a reserve of clean water sources, protein providers from the inland fisheries sector, recreational facilities, and many more. The use of lakes in the buffer zone of the capital city of Jakarta, such as Depok, is generally a source of clean water for bathing and washing. Aquaculture and non-cultivation fisheries, agricultural irrigation, and water tourism.
Seeing this pandemic situation, the Acsena Humanis Response Foundation plans to develop ecotourism based on community conservation, which will later be handed over to community groups who care about the environment.
The plans are:
• Construction of facilities for retaining mud and garbage before entering the lake.
• Provision of inflatable boats for community groups.
• Counseling on handling water weeds and household waste that can be used as compost and handicrafts.
• Provision of fish seeds and cultivation.
• Extension of ecotourism-based cooperatives