PADANG, Indonesia, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
The Indonesia's National Committee on Large Dams (INACOLD) and the Directorate General of Water Resources Ministry of Public Works and Housing held the National Seminar on Large Dams 2017 entitled "Dams as Drought and Flood Control Infrastructure" on 16-18 May 2017. Around 413 dam experts and enthusiasts attended the seminar to formulate 37 papers as recommendations to the government to improve human resources quality, particularly among the certificated dam experts.
"The program aims to attract a wide range of people from different universities and communities to actively participate in the dam-building process. Indonesian government, through the Directorate General of Water Resources sets priority to complete 65 new dams by 2019. However, we don't have enough expertise, especially the younger ones. In consequence, an expert may handle more than one dam which is not recommended. Therefore, the government through the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, requires the human resources regeneration to accomplish the target," said Imam Santoso, Director General of Water Resources.
Now Indonesia has 230 dams with a capacity of 12,4 billion m3/year. Thus, the number Is only able to irrigate 11% of 7,2 million hectares of agricultural land in Indonesia, or less than 900 thousand hectares. Whether the government completes the 65 dams, the capacity will increase to 16,8 billion m3/year and it will guarantee water supply to 1,4 hectares of agricultural land. "Moreover, irrigation dams can also increase agricultural production, at least twice as much as is currently farmed. For instance, the cropping pattern in rainfed agriculture is usually once a year. With the dam, it can be done at least twice a year," said Basuki Hadimuljono, Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, while opening the event.
The success of big plans is measured by the quality of human resources, added Basuki Hadimuljono. "Many large dam projects, from implementation, operation, and maintenance, requires more brilliant, intelligent, and qualified human resources." Apart from adding new degree program to specifically learn about reservoir at Gajah Mada University, Brawijaya University, and Diponegoro University, the Directorate General of Water Resources also collaborates with INACOLD in planning, implementing, and maintaining the large dam construction. With more than 45 years of experience, INACOLD has 1,695 dam experts and nearly half of them are certified.
The essential function of the dam includes disaster prevention caused by extreme weather, particularly in disaster prone areas, such as West Sumatera. River Basin Batang Kuranji, for example. The river basin connecting two provinces, West Sumatera and Riau, has 3500 – 4000 mm of rain per year, thus it is classified as a high rainfall area. Having a very steep slope that reaches 55%, this area is prone to natural hazards, the worst is the flash flood in 2012 that have killed 10 people.
Therefore, the Directorate General of Water Resources through the River Basin Territory of Sumatera V initiates the construction of 5 check dams and 2 groundsills for maintaining stability of the river basin. Commencing in 2015, now the development progress has reached 75%. In addition to artificial one, the government also concentrates on developing the natural reservoirs, such as Rawa Pening Lake in Central Java, Tempe Lake in South Sulawesi, and Lake Limboto in Gorontalo. "Later, the lake will naturally age and die, so we need to do something to extend its life," said Basuki Hadimuljono.
About The Directorate General of Water Resources
The Directorate General of Water Resources, under the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, has critical roles in formulating and implementing water resources management policies, provided in compliance with relevant legislation.
In order to perform their duties in accordance with the Directorate General of Water Resources, their functions are: policy formulation in the field of water resources conservation, utilization of water resources and to control water damage on surface water resources, and utilization of groundwater in accordance with the provisions of legislation; implementation of integrated water resource management in compliance with the provisions of legislation; preparation of the norms, standards, procedures, and criteria in the field of water resources management; provision of technical guidance and supervision related to water resources management; implementation of evaluation and reporting regarding to water resources management; implementation of the administration of the Directorate General of Water Resources; and implementation of other functions provided by the Minister.
Source: Ministry of Public Works and Housing of the Republic of Indonesia
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Directorate General of Water Resources
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Gedung Ditjen Sumber Daya Air
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Jakarta – Indonesia 12110
Phone: +6221 7398614
Email: kompusda@pu.go.id atau kompu.sda@gmail.com
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