A Speck of Heaven in an Industrial Area

KOMPAS/STEFANUS ATO

Dedi Kurniawan (left) and dan Eko Jatmiko.

Dozens of children were playing happily on the banks of the Cikarang River in Kampung Bongkok, Sukadanau village, West Cikarang, Bekasi regency, West Java, Wednesday (21/10/2020). If it were not because of Eko Jatmiko and Dedi Kurniawan, there would not be a speck of "heaven" in that industrial area.

The riverbank was quite lush due to bamboo trees whose leaves were tightly covering it from the scorching sun. The chirping of various birds was heard, shouting one after the other. The river water looked clean and free of trash, making visitors feel calm when they wanted to go along the river by boat. The beautiful situation made us forget that the location was only a few steps from the Bekasi Regency Industrial Estate.

The banks of Cikarang River in Kampung Bongkok are like a different world in the middle of the largest industrial estate in Southeast Asia. The condition is wonderful, with cool air, minimal pollution and garbage. This place gives hope to Bekasi regency, which continues to grapple with the waste problem.

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In the last three years, the mass media have frequently reported about rivers in Bekasi regency which are full of garbage. When dredged, the volume of waste reached hundreds of tons. Before the Covid-19 pandemic hit Indonesia, Cikarang River faced the same problem. The river was filled with plastic, organic, household garbage and factory waste.

However, the situation is different now. The Covid-19 outbreak has changed the face of Cikarang River, which has a length of 82 kilometers from upstream to downstream. Thanks to the movement initiated by two punk musicians, Eko Jatmiko, 42, and Dedi Kurniawan, 43, the face of Kali Cikarang has improved.

Eko and Dedi shared that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the offer to perform was quiet. Several organized music concerts were also canceled. "Because of the pandemic, we are at home every day. (Rather than being unemployed), OK, just clean the river,” said Dedi.

The river water becomes clean. Birds come and chirp freely without fear of being shot by poachers.

Dedi and Eko\'s efforts to clean the river from rubbish along the banks to Cikarang River are slowly bearing fruit. The river water becomes clean. Birds come and chirp freely without fear of being shot by poachers. "Local residents are not only reluctant to throw garbage into the river. People who have been holding air rifles every day are nowhere to be seen," said Dedi.

The local residents, who were initially indifferent and had been throwing garbage into the river, slowly changed. They wanted to help Eko and Dedi clean up the trash. The small steps initiated by the two youths also moved other youths, the community and the general public.

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The activity of cleaning the river from garbage in Cikarang River has been spreading. The two youths then decided to form the Save Cikarang River Community, about four months ago, so that the people involved could be organized.

Concern for the cleanliness of Cikarang River eventually spread to other villages along the Cikarang River banks. Currently, there are seven community activity points in a number of villages that are part of the Save Cikarang River Community. It has hundreds of members. They work hand in hand to clean and keep the river flow free of trash.

Their steps did not stop there. About two hundred meters on one of the banks of Cikarang River where bamboo trees grow, they have turned it into a tourist spot. They built houses on stilts, selfie locations, and various ornaments for a campaign to care for the environment.

KOMPAS/STEFANUS ATO

Dedi Kurniawan (left) and Eko Jatmiko.

Since two months ago, thanks to promotions on social media and word of mouth, visitors have come from a number of areas to enjoy the natural beauty of Cikarang River for free. Visitors are only required to keep the environment clean. "Every day, visitors who come here reach around 100 people. The local residents\' economy is also growing, there are around 20 people who run selling activities here,” said Dedi.

Real form

Dedi and Eko have fought for environmental sustainability for a long time, including in Bekasi. They did it through the punk band United Smokers. Since working in 1994, they have made songs with lyrics voicing anger and calls to fight against environmental destroyers. Here we grow / here we are fighting / hand in hand against destructive investment. Those are the lyrics of their song titled Warbox Inside Story.

Today, that dream has come true.

They admitted to being hurt and anxious to think about the destruction of nature, especially forests, rivers and seas, which are the source of human lives. "Since 20 years ago, we have been talking about the environment. We never get tired of struggling in all kinds of ways, from music to action to resistance. Today, that dream has come true. It turns out that so far it has not been unsuccessful, it\'s just been delayed," said Eko.

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The struggle that began with a concrete example of changing the face of Cikarang River was not easy. There were obstacles, from financial limitations to intimidation from a number of groups who did not like their movements. Nevertheless, that good intention received more support than resistance. The proof was that various contributions to their movement flowed from the private sector or the community. Recently, the local government has also supported the activities of the Save Cikarang River Community.

The small step by this community gives a message that the beauty of the rivers in Bekasi that have been used as "trash cans" can be restored.

KOMPAS/STEFANUS ATO

Dedi Kurniawan (left) and  Eko Jatmiko.

DEDI KURNIAWAN

Born: Bekasi, 25 December 1978

Education: S-1, School of Communications Science, IISIP Jakarta

EKO JATIMKO

Born: Bekasi, 5 August 1978

Education: D-3, APP Jakarta