[English] The Future of Setu (Lake) in Depok City of West Java

So far, lakes that have already been converted into residential areas cannot be restored. The best we can do now is to try to ensure that these lakes do not disappear in the future

For the residents of Depok in West Java Province, the presence of more than twenty lakes, both active and inactive, is certainly a source of pride. Not all regions in Indonesia have as many lakes as the city of Depok. Indeed, the lakes in Depok cannot match the size or benefits of the Jatiluhur Reservoir in Purwakarta. Nevertheless, the residents of Depok and the surrounding areas can certainly enjoy the benefits of these lakes. Most easily seen, the lakes can serve as water tourism spots for local people specifically, offering various water attractions, from pedal boats and rowboats to jogging tracks along the lakeside, as well as other activities. On holidays, it is common for residents to flock there, often bringing young children to enjoy the water attractions at these lakes.

From a tourism perspective, almost every active lake in Depok that serves as a tourist destination has indeed formed a kelompok sadar wisata (pokdarwis, or tourism awareness group ) under the guidance of the Ministry of Tourism. Support for these groups continues to be provided by government in managing the lakes as tourist destinations, with concrete assistance also being extended, such as the development of recreational facilities. It is clear that water tourism at these lakes is intended to provide economic benefits to the surrounding communities. Conversely, the local communities are also expected to help maintain and preserve these lakes.

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Quoting regulations (one of them being Presidential Regulation No. 54 of 2008 on Spatial Planning of the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi and Cianjur area (Jabodetabekjur Area), a setu (lake) is defined as a water reservoir on the surface of the land, formed naturally or artificially, with water originating from the ground or surface water as part of a hydrological cycle. This is also a form of protected area. So its basic function is clear, namely as a reservoir or water storage. The presence of these setu helps the surrounding areas to be free from waterlogging during heavy rains, for instance, because the water is stored in these setu. Its use as a water tourism facility is clearly just an additional function.

There is another function that is equally important and interesting, namely the function of generating economic income, because it is unavoidable that the economic value of the lake can be maximized. In her article titled, Wulandari (2021) calculated the potential fisheries that can be gained from one of the lakes in Depok, namely Setu Pedongkelan, which is located on the border between Depok and East Jakarta, specifically administratively located on Jalan Setu Pedongkelan, Tugu Subdistrict, Cimanggis District, Depok City. The potential fish farming yield from Setu Pedongkelan is able to reach a value of more than two billion, specifically Rp 2,472,960,000 per year. This lake covers 6.25 hectares, and the capture fisheries in this lake are quite active. The types of fish being raised include goldfish, catfish, tilapia, pomfret, pangasius, and snakehead.

That figure comes from just one lake, which happens to still be active as a means of supporting the local community's economy. If multiplied by the existing lakes, let's assume at least 20 lakes that can still be stocked with fish, with an average annual value of 2 billion, then all the lakes in Depok could generate more than 40 billion per year. Of course, that number is not insignificant. Not to mention the economic benefits from tourism, which are certainly much greater, considering that tourism services are not seasonal.

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Seeing the benefits of the lakes in this regard, it certainly requires extra attention from all parties concerned with the existence of these lakes. Information from the Depok Tourism Office indicates that Depok merely hosts these lakes, as their management is handled at the central level. Therefore, the Depok city government cannot do much with the existing lakes without approval from the central government.

Whatever form of maintenance and protection it receives, it is clear that the lake still needs attention. Besides providing tangible benefits to the community, both around the lake and to those who live far from it, these lakes could also become targets for land conversion by greedy people, most obviously for housing. So far, lakes that have already been converted into residential areas cannot be restored. The best we can do now is to try to ensure that these lakes do not disappear in the future.

Melipirnews