DENPASAR -- Rivers are the lifeblood of life. Since ancient times, great civilizations have been born and grown along their course. Rivers are the birthplace of culture, a source of food, clean water, energy, and life.

However, many rivers in Indonesia are currently in dire condition. Once a source of life, rivers have slowly become sources of disaster and pollution. Industrial waste, household waste, sedimentation, and land conversion have eroded the rivers' ecological function.

This is where our shared commitment is needed to protect, care for, and restore the function of rivers as an important element of environmental sustainability and community well-being.

In commemoration of National River Day on July 27, 2025, BRI Cares through the "Protect Rivers, Protect Life" Program carried out river clean-up activities and environmental education in order to maintain the sustainability of rivers and environmental ecosystems.

One of them, BRI Peduli carried out a cleaning activity at the Last Point River, a tributary of the Tukad Badung River located in Pemogan Village, South Denpasar, Bali Province which is also located in the mangrove conservation area of ​​the Ngurah Rai Bali Forest Park (Tahura). This activation was carried out in an area of ​​70 meters with a total of 242 residents and 200 wariors (waste care activists) participating.

BRI Corporate Secretary Agustya Hendy Bernadi explained that the program includes two main activities: river cleanups and waste education. During the river cleanup, the community worked together to clean up the Badung River as an effort to preserve the environment and improve the quality of the aquatic ecosystem.

This activity not only aims to reduce the accumulation of waste in rivers, but also to build collective awareness of the importance of maintaining cleanliness and preserving natural resources.

Meanwhile, in waste education activities, the community received education on waste sorting where waste taken from the river was sorted into organic and inorganic waste.

Public education is a crucial step in environmental sustainability, particularly in river management. Sorted organic waste can be used for community purposes, such as compost, animal feed, urban farming, and even biogas production. Inorganic waste is shredded using a shredder and sold to waste collectors.

Through this activity, the community is encouraged to play a more active role and is equipped with the right knowledge and skills in cleaning rivers, sorting waste, and managing waste wisely.

To support the smooth running and success of the program, BRI Peduli distributed various equipment assistance such as Trash Barriers, Brooms, Garbage Scales and Garbage Carts.

"The active role of the community in river cleaning activities can have an impact on community awareness and responsibility in protecting the environment and having the right knowledge and techniques in cleaning rivers, sorting waste, and managing waste," said Hendy.

As a result, the BRI Cares for the River, Protects Life program in Tukad Badung collected 3,262 kg of inorganic waste and maintained river water clarity by 69%. This activity also resulted in a potential reduction of 9.79 tons of CO2 in carbon emissions.

Hendy added that the BRI Cares "Protect Rivers, Protect Life" program , implemented since 2020, has revitalized more than 100 rivers across Indonesia. Rivers are also regularly cleaned through labor-intensive community empowerment programs.

In its implementation, in 2025, BRI also collaborated with the Sungai Watch Indonesia Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and maintaining the cleanliness of rivers in Indonesia from pollution, especially plastic waste.

Together with the Sungai Watch Foundation, BRI Peduli has collected 35.20 tons of inorganic waste reduction.

Embracing the Pro Planet and Pro People spirit, BRI goes beyond river normalization, cleaning, and dredging. Furthermore, BRI also builds a number of facilities and infrastructure, such as parks, green spaces, and child-friendly areas. It also educates the public about maintaining healthy river flows, which are essential for life.

Not only that, this program will also have a positive economic impact on the communities living around the river.

Since its founding in 2020, Sungai Watch has installed more than 18 trash barriers in rivers across Bali and Banyuwangi, East Java, to prevent the flow of trash into the ocean.

With a community-based approach, Sungai Watch collaborates with local communities to not only clean rivers, but also educate them on the importance of sustainable waste management and labor-intensive empowerment.