Integrated water resource management is the approach in Balikpapan

Balikpapan (Indonesia) included its bay and watershed within a broader coastal resources management approach.

Land use near the city and within the bay watershed has changed rapidly over the years, starting with the discovery of oil and gas deposits.  Furthermore, sixty percent of the original primary forests have been cleared (and the remainder regularly burned); large-scale oil, palm and rubber plantations were established; shrimp and fish ponds were developed; and new settlements are regularly established to accommodate rural development.

Much of this development occurred without regard to the ecological or aesthetic values of the bay, and the many interconnections between the watershed and the bay.  As a result, over the years, residents have begun to demand more equitable and inclusive approaches to development planning.

A goal, therefore, has been to develop an integrated bay and watershed management plan, whose overarching goal was to integrate land and water management through locally tailored partnerships.

Following external financial and technical support in the early stages, local project officials steered the project towards integration in the governance system, which is now ongoing.

ICLEI has an international freshwater Water Campaign that aims to build the capacity of local governments to reduce water consumption and improve local water quality.  For more information on ICLEI’s Water Campaign, please visit www.iclei.org/water.

Balikpanan is one of 26 local governments in Southeast Asia that are currently Members of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability.   For more information on ICLEI and its activities in Southeast Asia, please visit www.iclei.org/seasia.

Source:  Integrated Management of Balikpapan Bay and Watershed in Indonesia”, US AID Water Team Case Study in Integrated Water Resources Management.

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