2,131 Coastal Villages in Indonesia Polluted in 2024

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded 12,968 coastal villages in Indonesia in 2024. Of these, 2,131 villages experienced pollution.

Based on the type of pollution, 1,211 villages experienced water pollution. Furthermore, 789 villages experienced air pollution, and 131 villages experienced soil pollution.

"This various pollution originates from household waste, factories, and other sources," stated the BPS in its report.

According to the source of pollution, 914 villages were polluted due to household waste, 864 villages experienced pollution due to factory waste, and 353 villages were polluted from waste categorized as 'other'.

Regarding waste disposal habits, the majority of families in 8,552 coastal villages dispose of waste by burying it or burning it. A portion of the population in 1,617 villages is accustomed to disposing of waste in rivers/irrigation canals/lakes/sea.

Meanwhile, other families in coastal villages dispose of waste in designated bins for later collection, drains (ditches/sewers), temporary waste storage areas, and other locations.

On the other hand, BPS stated that Indonesian waters are facing a serious threat due to pollution from industrial, agricultural, and domestic waste, especially plastic.

The impact of ocean damage on the economy, according to BPS, most significantly affects fishing communities whose livelihoods heavily depend on the condition of the sea.

"Marine pollution has resulted in a decrease in fishermen's catch in several areas," said BPS.