BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Swamp buffaloes are losing their wallowing place because the lake they commonly used have dried up due to drought ravaging South Kalimantan, Antaranews reported.
As a result, the buffaloes forced to “take over” the river, driving off people who are the common users.
The people in Sapala village were forced to switch to using well water for bath and other purposes, as the river in their village became turbid after use by water buffaloes.
Utuh Hamsi, a resident of Sapala village, said people usually bathe in the river while well water is only used for consumption.
Buffalo livestock is widespread over South Kalimantan. It is most reared livestock in Hulu Sungai Utara (HSU), especially in Sub district of Paminggir.
Drought that hit Paminggir, which territory is surrounded by an expanse of swamp, resulting of buffaloes wallowing there switch to the river.
“Now people obtain well water to bath using water pump engine,” Hamsi said.
Sapala Village Head Isnaini said the same problem also experienced by residents of other villages in the Paminggir sub district such Sapala Village, Paminggir and Paminggir Seberang.
Sapala village along with the other villages in the sub district are remote areas where clean water service taps of the Amuntai have not reach this area.