Partnering with Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems to Improve the Impact of River Management in West Java

Community-led strategies for vibrant and resilient river ecosystems

  • Investigators

  • Partner organisation

    • Citarum Living Lab, Monash University

  • Funded by

    • Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA)
    • Monash University

  • Undertaken within

The project addresses urgent water management challenges in Indonesia’s West Java region, which is highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, including flooding and drought. The research aims to integrate Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) into river management practices, promoting water security, ecological resilience, and a culturally inclusive approach to sustainability.

The project investigates how partnerships with local and Indigenous communities can transform river management to be more sustainable and effective. It focuses on documenting contemporary and historical LINKS practices in West Java, especially along the Citarum River, Indonesia’s largest and most critical waterway. This partnership-driven research seeks to empower communities to play an active role in water governance, building their capacity for climate adaptation and advocating for sustainable river revitalisation.

Key objectives include examining development partnerships with local communities, documenting LINKS in water and land use, and advancing river management practices through community-led approaches. Expected outcomes include improved water management, community empowerment, and the creation of policy recommendations that honour and incorporate LINKS into broader environmental planning frameworks.

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Living River: A Pathway to Revitalise the Citarum River

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