An expert has warned that an environmental program run by the Gorontalo administration to save Limboto Lake over the past three years ignores conservation principles
n expert has warned that an environmental program run by the Gorontalo administration to save Limboto Lake over the past three years ignores conservation principles.
Irwan Bempah, a member of environmental forum Daerah Aliran Sungai (DAS), which focuses on the ecological sustainability of rivers in the province, said that instead of resolving environmental problems, civil engineering approaches conducted by the Gorontalo administration posed other problems that might affect the ecosystem of Limboto, the biggest lake in Gorontalo.
He said the ongoing dredging of Limboto that had cost billions of rupiah would instead change the lake's ecosystem. Limboto, for instance, has a micro climate condition that enables endemic species to breed. They freshwater fish locally called hulu'u, payangga and Mangga bai.
'It is obvious that the ongoing dredging activities will change the lake's ecosystem and affect the natural habitat of endemic species,' said Irwan, a lecturer from the University of Gorontalo's School of Forestry.
He said conservation measures needed to be carried out immediately as Limboto's condition had continued to worsen. Authorities could conserve the lake by managing and strengthening upstream areas to reduce its sedimentation rate, he explained.
Irwan said local authorities had issued several conservation regulations, including a regional bill to save Limboto Lake and one on the river basin, which was ratified by the Gorontalo Legislative Council in 2014.
He further said that no serious efforts had been made to tackle the widespread growth of water hyacinth on the lake.
Limboto is one of 15 lakes in critical condition and currently prioritized by the government for rehabilitation.
In 1932, Limboto Lake covered 7,000 hectares and had an average depth of 30 meters. During 1990-2008, the lake shrank to cover only 3,000 hectares with a depth of 2.5 meters.
Besides sedimentation, Limboto Lake faces other risks, including excessive forest clearing in upstream areas and widespread growth of human settlements around the lake. (ebf)(+++)
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