At the 2025 World Lake Day commemoration in Jakarta on Wednesday, Nurofiq acknowledged that many lakes in Indonesia, especially the 15 designated as national priorities, are still in poor condition.
"The 15 priority lakes are all in poor condition. These figures represent an administrative assessment, but we haven't physically addressed these 15 lakes with concrete activities that would have a real impact on their transformation," Nurofiq said.
The 15 lakes are Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Lake Singkarak and Lake Maninjau in West Sumatra, Lake Kerinci in Jambi, Lake Rawa Danau in Banten, Lake Rawa Pening in Central Java, and Lake Batur in Bali.
Furthermore, Lake Tondano in North Sulawesi, the Mahakam Cascade Lakes (Melintang, Semayang, and Jempang) in East Kalimantan, Lake Sentarum in West Kalimantan, Lake Limboto in Gorontalo, Lake Poso in Central Sulawesi, Lake Tempe and Lake Matano in South Sulawesi, and Lake Sentani in Papua.
Several lakes recorded zero progress in rescue programs; Maninjau scored zero percent in spatial planning, while Lake Batur and Tondano reached only 50 percent in policy and budget.
Lake Tondano also scored the lowest in ecosystem and conservation at 30 percent. Lake Limboto and Singkarak scored zero percent in research and monitoring, while Singkarak also posted 33 percent in socio-economic development.
Nurofiq also highlighted the alarming state of lakes on Java Island, citing sedimentation, overuse of fish cages, and invasive species harming endemic fauna.
He warned that these issues are diminishing lake capacity and directly affecting nearby communities.
Following the meeting, he gave ministries and local governments one month to submit strategic conservation plans for the 15 priority lakes.
The Environment Ministry will coordinate to ensure the plans are implemented effectively.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Arie Novarina
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