COMMUNITY-BASED RIVER CONSERVATION INITIATIVES AND THE USE OF DRONE TECHNOLOGY FOR MONITORING THE MAHAKAM SUB-WATERSHED ECOSYSTEM, EAST KALIMANTAN

Abstract

Tropical rivers play an essential role in maintaining biodiversity, providing ecosystem services, and supporting local livelihoods. However, river pollution caused by household waste, market waste, plastic packaging, disposable diapers, organic debris, detergent foam, and riparian degradation accompanied by localized sedimentation has become a major environmental challenge, particularly in Samarinda City, East Kalimantan. This study investigates community-based river conservation initiatives implemented by the Gerakan Memungut Sehelai Sampah Sungai Karang Mumus (GMSS–SKM) and explores the contribution of drone-assisted spatial observation to river conservation. The study employed a qualitative method combined with a spatial approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with the head of GMSS–SKM, field observations, documentation, literature review, and visual interpretation of drone aerial imagery. Data credibility was strengthened through source, method, and theory triangulation, while the findings were interpreted using a geographical perspective, particularly the regional-complex approach. The findings indicate that inorganic waste, particularly plastic packaging, disposable diapers, bottles, and food containers, predominated during the dry season, whereas the rainy season increased the accumulation of organic debris, wood fragments, mixed domestic waste, and sediment transported from upstream areas. Drone observations identified waste accumulation hotspots, degraded riparian vegetation, drainage outlets, localized sediment deposits, and river segments with limited ground accessibility. These spatial observations supported the prioritization of river clean-up, riparian greening, environmental education, and future river monitoring. The integration of community participation, local knowledge, and drone-assisted observation provides an effective decision-support approach for community-based river conservation.