Government Accelerates Lake Ecosystem Restoration in Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID, Depok - Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the restoration and protection of lake ecosystems across the country. The effort aims to safeguard national water, food, and energy security amid growing pressure on inland aquatic ecosystems.

Environment Minister and Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Moh Jumhur Hidayat, said Indonesia has 2,961 lakes that play strategic roles in supporting communities, including providing water and food, energy, tourism, carbon absorption, and microclimate stabilization.

“Lakes are not merely bodies of water, but sources of life that support food, energy, and water security, tourism, carbon absorption, microclimate stabilization, and serve as centers of community culture,” Jumhur said during the 2026 World Lake Day commemoration in Depok, Thursday, August 27, 2026.

However, the country’s thousands of lakes are facing growing environmental pressures. Degradation has been driven by damage to watersheds, conversion of lake buffer zones, pollution and eutrophication, as well as the expansion of floating net cage aquaculture beyond the lakes’ carrying capacity. The spread of aquatic weeds, the introduction of invasive fish species, and sedimentation have further worsened the condition of several lakes.

Jumhur explained that the hydrological characteristics of lakes, including their long water retention times, mean that restoration cannot be achieved instantly. Therefore, lake management requires an integrated and consistent approach covering both upstream and downstream areas.

“Lake restoration takes a long time and requires an integrated upstream-to-downstream approach that can no longer be delayed,” he said.

KLH/BPLH said stronger regulations and collaboration among stakeholders are essential to restoring lake ecosystems. These efforts are expected to preserve the role of lakes in supporting water, food, and energy security while ensuring that their benefits can be sustained for future generations.