TEMPO.CO, Banyuwangi - Banyuwangi Regency held the third Kali Bersih Festival or the festival of the clean river on Sunday, April 29 in Kalimoro River, Muncar, Banyuwangi. Prior to this festival, the district government and Muncar residents were determined to clean the river and coastal areas.

Muncar, Banyuwangi has a huge potential of the sea since it is known as the largest fish port in Java, and of the second largest in Indonesia. However, one of the biggest problem hampered was the waste. "This is a tough job. Making Muncar free of waste is difficult, but we are confident to achieve it because we are experienced in handling the waste and the residents backed us," said Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas in a press release received by Tempo.

Anas stated the government deliberately planned to establish the clean river festival this year in a bid to encourage local people in helping the cleaning process since Muncar is an estuary of many rivers in the region.

Anas expected other regions can take his regency as a precedent on the clean river. He further pinned hope that Muncar will have a clean beach in a month as the tourism destination as he acknowledged that the traditional culture Petik Laut Muncar has been covered in the international magazine.

Meanwhile, Head of Environment Agency Husnul Chotimah added that the festival was held in Kalimoro because this river streams into Muncar sea around the fishermen's housing. She also hoped that Muncar area will be developed gradually to be a port tourism destination.

DAVID PRIYASIDARTA