CITARUM RIVER

Karawang Citarum River, Photo: Pepeling

Natural stream with a value level of history is extraordinary coupled with mystical values ​​that had been circulated to be a river which runs splitting of West Java, the river which is now experiencing a shift from the phase of pre-history with which today we see yet concretely not eliminate stored value and meaning as a river that has a witness to history.

Citarum is the largest and longest river in West Java (± 225 kilometers). Tipped in Cisanti, the slopes of Mount Wayang one child Mount Malabar South Bandung area. The river flow through the Bandung basin to the north, passing through the area districts of Cianjur, Purwakarta and Karawang, empties into the Java Sea, precisely in the area of ​​Ujung Karawang flow is approximately 225 km.

In etymological, Citarum name comes from two words, namely ci and indigo. Ci or cai means water. Tarum also called indigo is a type of plant. Citarum is a river that plays an important role in the history of West Java. First, the name of the river is taken also as the name of the oldest Hindu kingdom in West Java, namely Tarumanegara, in the 5th century. Based on geological data, before the West Java region inhabited by prehistoric man, who then called Citarum river already exists. In ancient times the Holocene Epoch (± 6000 years BC.) Citarum area Cimeta (Padalarang) completely blocked by lava from the eruption of Mount Sunda. Eventually the river water to soak a very broad area, from the area Padalarang until Cicalengka (± 30 km) and from Lembang (slopes of Mount Tangkubanparahu) until Soreang (± 50 km). Means the submerged area has a total area of ​​more or less 150 square kilometers. An area that became "Giant Bandung Purba Lake" for a very long time [1].

River nearby Mount Wayang Kertasari District of Bandung Regency has been draining the life and abundant sustenance to all the regions through which it passes as: Regency Bandung, Cianjur, Purwakarta and Karawang. Based on the above explanation, it turns Citarum has a very important meaning to people's lives Sundanese. Citarum not only serves as a place of human habitation in prehistoric times but has a role and significance of staggering magnitude. Entering the Citarum historical times greater even positioned as a means of transport, the administrative center and the boundary of the kingdoms in West Java and also of course a symbol of the greatness of the kings / menak in power at that time.

Citarum very important because, in the past the kings / regents extremely damaging it, even the same was done by the colonial government. In the 17th century even VOC Citarum functioning as a means of defense. In indigenous communities (Sundanese), preserving the Citarum based on local wisdom that grant privileges to the king / regents to hunt fish and hunt deer in the woods. This is what makes people afraid to damage the environment around the river [2].

Citarum river flowing from the upper reaches of Mount puppet south of the city of Bandung flows north and empties into the Java Sea. Citarum administration area drains 12 districts / cities. Citarum supply water for livelihood needs of 28 million people, the river which is the source of drinking water for communities in Jakarta, Bekasi, Karawang, Purwakarta and Bandung. With a length of about 269 km runs through the area of ​​irrigated agricultural area of ​​420,000 hectares. Citarum is the source of the pulse of the economy of Indonesia at 20% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) with a carpet industries located along the Citarum river.

Citarum longest and largest river in the province of West Java. And greatly affect the lives of the surrounding community. Utilization of the Citarum river varies greatly from upstream to downstream of the memenehui household needs, irrigation, agriculture, livestock and industry. Along with the development of the industry in the Citarum river basin and not manage industrial waste is one of the causes of river pollution.

Ironically, contrary to the historical value and significance for the people of Indonesia Citarum, Citarum is currently going through a crisis. Water flowing through the Citarum has been contaminated by a variety of waste, the most dangerous is the toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes from industry. Currently in the upper Citarum, about 1000 plant stand and only about 20% are treating their waste, while the rest dispose of waste directly they are not responsible to the children of the Citarum river or to Citarum directly without supervision and the actions of the authorities ( government).