Mongabay · Climate & nature

Borneo Fishermen Face Existential Threat from Polluted Reservoir

Fishermen in the remote Malaysian Borneo village of Long Jawe are facing an existential threat as their primary water source, the Bakun Reservoir, becomes polluted, leading to fish die-offs.

The village, situated on the banks of the reservoir, is so remote that travel to the nearest town is infrequent.

The Bakun Reservoir was created in the 1990s by flooding the surrounding landscape, and the community has since adapted to rely on it for transport, food, and livelihoods.

The current pollution poses a significant risk to the community's way of life, which is intrinsically linked to the health of the reservoir and its fish population.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the pollution in the vital water source.

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