Persepsi Masyarakat dan Praktik Lokal terhadap Pencemaran Mikroplastik di Sungai Tropis

Abstract

Plastic pollution is a global environmental issue affecting various aquatic ecosystems, including tropical rivers. Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, have been widely detected in tropical rivers and may disrupt water quality and aquatic biota health. However, no method has been proven effective in controlling microplastic pollution, and public understanding of this issue remains limited, resulting in low participation in mitigation efforts. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with five groups of informants, including local fishers, fish traders, village heads, environmental managers, and community-based river conservation groups, to explore perceptions, local practices, and challenges related to microplastics. The results indicate that autonomous local practices and participatory community approaches can serve as adaptive and effective mitigation strategies, while also informing community-based river management policies. These findings provide theoretical contributions to understanding social-ecological interactions and practical insights for developing sustainable solutions to reduce microplastic pollution in tropical rivers.