Lake Sipin has a brand new look. The erstwhile trash-laden lake, known as a “den of drugs”, has been transformed into a new tourism magnet.
By
Irma Tambunan
·5 minutes read
Lake Sipin has a brand new look. The erstwhile trash-laden lake, known as a “den of drugs”, has been transformed into a new tourism magnet. Indeed, tourism is the newfound spirit of the lake at the heart of Jambi city.
Since early morning on Feb. 9, tourist boats had been busy carrying passengers on Lake Sipin. It was not yet 9 a.m., and Agani, 70, had carried passengers on three trips around the lake. As the day continued, there seemed to be no sign of stopping for him.
Over the past six months, the lake has seen a surge of tourism. On weekends and holidays, Agani can serve about 200 tourists a day, earning him an average of Rp 1 million (US$69.82). There are 30 tourist boats on the lake. “Now, it’s no longer quiet around here,” he said.
Despite his age, Agani does his job enthusiastically as he is glad he can enjoy a good life in his hometown. He never thought it would be possible.
Previously, Lake Sipin in Telanaipura district, Jambi, had a sordid reputation. Plastic waste and water plants such as giant salvinia and water hyacinth covered its surface.
The area was also known for its rampant drug trade. The dark image caused locals to turn their backs on the lake. Nearby kampongs were visited by police personnel only when reports spread of widespread drug abuse or when drug dealers were arrested.
The 64 hectare lake was originally a water catchment basin. During the rainy season, floods inundated nearby kampongs as the Batanghari River overflowed.
Due to the huge amount of water overflow, the area constantly looked like a lake. Locals used it as a fishing spot.
Transformation began as fish cultivation using cages grew. Seeing the lucrative results, thousands of fish cages were soon seen on lake’s edges. Excessive use of fish feed led to sedimentation and allowed the growth of giant salvinia and water hyacinth.
Locals often complained about this. Smalltime fishermen were having difficulty fishing using a traditional tool called a tangkul.
Locals often complained about this. Smalltime fishermen were having difficulty fishing using a traditional tool called a tangkul. “It was hard to install tangkul as the water was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a sea of water hyacinths,” said Leni, 45, who lives by the lake. Locals also used to throw their garbage into the lake.
More worrying was the arrival of drug dealers in the area. “As the area was neglected, it became a hotspot for narcotics use,” Leni said. Slowly, the “den of drugs” stigma stuck to Lake Sipin.
Collective movement
Due to the quantity of local complaints, the government turned its eyes toward Lake Sipin. In 2015, the Jambi city administration launched the “SaveDanauSipin” (Save Lake Sipin) movement. Every Friday morning, locals, civil servants and police and military personnel worked together to clean trash from the lake.
It was not easy to clean the vast lake, especially as a majority of the trash was water hyacinth and giant salvinia. As the plants contained water, it was not easy to lift them. After one year, the movement bore fruit, and the lake’s surface was seen once again.
In parallel, Jambi mayor Syarif Fasha proposed that the central and provincial governments get involved in lake normalization and install gabion around its shores.
Improvement continued with the construction of several pavilions around the lake, a parking area and kiosks. The city administration constructed a pedestrian walkway and spots for wall climbing, skateboarding and beach volleyball. There are also cooking spots, a playground and a floating dock.
The total expense of all the efforts was more than Rp 100 billion, paid for by the central and local governments. “The improvements will continue until at least 2021,” Fasha said. This year, the Jambi city administration plans to build a bridge from the Governor’s Office complex to the Lake Sipin batik center, which was completed last year. Empowerment for women batik artists is ongoing.
Its watersport venues have been used often, including for the 2019 National Rowing Competition.
The lake’s transformation attracted locals. Its watersport venues have been used often, including for the 2019 National Rowing Competition. Later this year, the Sipin Lake Festival will be held on the floating dock on the lake.
Many are hoping for more positive effects from these developments, including the lake’s continued recovery, the further development of watersport activities, the emergence of a new public and tourism space and the blossoming of the local economy.
Another effect is the dwindling drug distribution in the area. “In the end, there is a positive correlation. If we take care of and develop the area, the kampongs will no longer be isolated. Many eyes are now on them. Drug distribution ceases on its own,” Fasha said.
In 2019, the Jambi city administration declared Lake Sipin a tourism destination. Fasha said he was aware that, in line with the area’s rapid development, new problems would arise if it was not properly managed.
Now, tourism flourishes on Lake Sipin. The next challenge is for tourism to ensure prosperity without neglecting environmental preservation.
Management must be integrated to ensure balance, which will lead to sustainable positive development, hopefully.