Karanganyar, Central Java, ABIM (10/2/2023) – Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) had initiated the construction of the Gondang Dam in Karanganyar Regency in 2014. Since its inauguration by President Jokowi in 2019, the Gondang Dam has played an important role in ensuring food security and water availability in Central Java Province.
Gondang Dam, according to PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, is one of the dam construction initiatives targeted at enhancing water storage capacity. This dam ensures the continuous supply of irrigation water to rice fields. This dam’s existence also has the potential for raw water, energy, flood control, and tourism, all of which will benefit the local economy.
“The construction of dams must be followed by the provision of irrigation networks. Likewise, dams that were built at great expense can be used immediately because the water is ensured to flow to farmers’ rice fields,” said Minister Basuki.
in December 2022, Gondang Dam Care Community was established based on PUPR Ministerial Regulation No. 27 of 2015 concerning Dams, relating to Community Empowerment. The main goal is the conservation of Gondang Dam water resources and the economic improvement of the surrounding community.
As its first action, the Gondang Dam Care Community together with the Bengawan Solo River Basin Center (BBWS) as the manager of the dam held a bazaar and Durian Festival at the Gondang Dam. The activity was officially launched last Monday (06/02) by the Regent of Karanganyar Regency, Juliyatmono, and will continue through Thursday (9/2).
“Community empowerment through community activities such as the Durian Festival this time is a kind of independence and sustainability of a community itself,” explained Maryadi, Head of BBWS Bengawan Solo.
Meanwhile, Marina Putri, the Head of the Gondang Dam Management Unit (UPB), stated that the Bazar and Durian Festival are likely to become annual events. Moreover, the attention and number of visitors every day were approximately 1,000-1,500 people.
“The activities are also varied, ranging from planting and maintenance of productive plants such as durian, which currently has around 400 trees, including community service projects with the Dam Care Community members and training for POKMAS members in disaster preparedness and agriculture,” she added.(ABIM)
