Problem overview:

     Awareness and visions: The PROKASIH programmes aims to reduce pollution discharge from households and industries into riverbeds by using awareness raising programmes.

     Integrating stakeholders: The government, NGOs, Universities and many other institutions have worked together in this programme to raise awareness and educate the public and private companies on water pollution and how it can be prevented.

Background:

      Assisting the community to perceive and care for the river environments, and thus sustain the ecological functions of the river environment.

      PROKASIH (freely translated PRO-LOVE), accronamed as PROGRAM KALI BERSIH, (Clean River Program) is the name of a package of river pollution control programs aimed at improving the quality of river water so that it can continue to be used as it is meant to. This is achieved by decreasing the liquid waste and wastewater discharging directly into the river, with a particular target being industrial waste.

      Regulations on quality standards for liquid waste for economic activities already existed. They provide maximum allowable levels for liquid waste and wastewater. The bill on environmental pollution control was drafted in 1982. The PROKASIH began in 1989, with 20 rivers in eight provinces. In 1990, the target increased to 24 rivers in 11 provinces, to 29 rivers in 13 provinces for 1994. Finally the program includes 30 rivers in 11 provinces.

      PROKASIH is implemented by the provincial governments and coordinated nationally by BAPEDAL working with the Ministry of Home Affairs and related agencies. At provincial level, PROKASIH activities are carried out by a team set up by the Governor. Using regional approach, it attempts to encourage the awareness of the community and companies through regional campaigns as well as national promotion. Environmental NGOs get involved closely in the program. PROKASIH is a successful movement to trigger the awareness of the community and private companies.

      The project is a successful and vital blend of interaction between the Government, Regional Government, university members, journalists, NGOs and community. Preference on mobilized participation and centralized coordination by government can easily turn off the enthusiasm of peoples participation. However, several NGOs continue to work quietly and independently and so do the universities. Finally, the government realizes that every group participating in the program should be encouraged to support the commitment and change the policy to decentralize the system.

      BAPEDAL coordinates with line ministries, especially Ministry of Home Affairs. At regional level, the activity is coordinated by regional government and BAPEDAL-DA (regional offices of BAPEDAL). In the initial stage, communitys involvement was absent, but now universities participate in the program and mobilize the community. Today, the local communities appreciate and cooperate with the movement.

      The project actively attempts to increase moral persuasion of the community and companies along the riverbanks. NGOs assist the activity in the regions.

      In 1994, the project was expanded into the PROPER PROKASIH Programme.