Yogyakarta, August 19, 2025 – Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) collaborated with Yogyakarta State University (UNY) to hold a book review event for River Restoration by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Agus Maryono, IPM., ASEAN Eng. The event, which took place at the UGM Center for Environmental Studies Building, 4th Floor, Room 407C, was attended by academics, students from both universities, and river conservation communities from the Special Region of Yogyakarta and surrounding areas.
In his speech, Prof. Agus Maryono, Dean of Sekolah Vokasi UGM and author of the book Restorasi Sungai (River Restoration), emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration to restore the natural functions of rivers.
“River restoration is not only about infrastructure, but also about reviving the ecosystem. We hope that rivers can once again become a habitat for fish, a sustainable source of water, and even have the potential to be developed as eco-tourism destinations,” he said.
“River restoration requires drivers and motivation from all levels of society. River-conscious communities can be the key, for example through community service activities, river festivals, and the development of educational tourism. In this way, the community will be more connected to the river while also preserving it,” he explained.
The discussion highlighted the urgency of the Indonesian River Restoration Movement. This movement was born out of concern for the increasingly degraded condition of rivers due to pollution and excessive exploitation. River restoration is carried out to restore water quality, ecological functions, and harmonious relationships between communities and their environment.
Prof. Agus added that this movement stems from a simple principle: love for rivers.
“This movement began with a sense of love, which was first manifested through concrete action on the Code River. From there, the spirit can spread to other rivers. The method is simple: visit the river, study it, then protect it. This can take the form of community service, environmentally friendly drainage arrangements, and the application of the principles of ‘collecting, absorbing, and flowing to maintain the balance of the ecosystem,’” he said.
This event is expected to be an important milestone in strengthening the synergy between universities, the government, and river care communities. With continued collaboration, river restoration will not only restore ecosystems, but also contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to clean water, sustainable settlements, and terrestrial ecosystem protection.
Writer: Febriana Trisnawati