How the Local People Face the Rapid Change of the Tropical Freshwater Wetland Environment

¹⁾ Lambung Mangkurat University, The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science.
²⁾ Lambung Mangkurat University, The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science.

^* Corresponding author: krisdianto@ulm.ac.id

Abstract

Barito River crosses from the northeast of Central Kalimantan province, but almost two-third of 1000 km length lies in South Kalimantan. While water comes from Schwaner Mountain in the upper, this river receives water from Meratus pass through five big rivers, such as Tabalong, Batang Alai, Pagat, Amandit, and Riam Kiwa. Before the water flowed into Barito River, it retains for sometimes in the low land swampy area, forming huge lowland muddy into shallow lakes, simply named wetlands. How do people commit to sustainability living in extreme tropical wetlands for generations? The ecological investigation was conducted for 2016 – 2019, in-situ observation on the daily life-behavior of local people of 200 local people living Barito Kuala, Tapin, Hulu Sungai Selatan, Hulu Sungai Tengah, Hulu Sungai Utara residences, their technologies, their progress in sustainability development. Data was collected by interviewing directly to the local, face to face, meeting with family, observing and confirming nature with them, as well as studying scientific articles and grey literature from official reports. Statistical calculation helps to compare several data sets, as well as serial of photographs, which documented to support the evidence visually. In conclusion, the locals face the rapid change environments which influence their life, income, health, and their properties and prosperity. Mostly, they complain that life is much more difficult now than several decades ago.