Building a collaborative environmental governance for sustainable management of a volcanic lake at the Dieng Plateau in Central Java Indonesia

The Dieng Plateau in Central Java, Indonesia, is home to unique volcanic lakes with significant ecological and economic value. Effective environmental governance is critical for the sustainable management of volcanic lakes, particularly in regions prone to natural hazards like the Dieng Plateau. Several hazards have been reported, including phreatic explosions. This article explores a multidisciplinary approach to environmental governance, integrating ecological sciences and social sciences, to ensure the sustainable management of these lakes. We investigated the necessity and challenges of establishing collaborative environmental governance mechanisms to address the complex issues surrounding Lake Menjer as volcanic lake management in the region. Based on an investigation of water quality and biodiversity, all nutrient inputs from anthropogenic activities promoted this lake's degradation. The environmental degradation of the lake showed the absence of management institutions. Drawing on multidisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement, this study aims to: (1) analyze the trend of environmental degradation in Lake Menjer in terms of eutrophication, and (2) evaluate the current governance structures and propose strategies for enhancing collaboration among the various stakeholders. We analyzed existing policies, institutional frameworks, and community participation models to identify gaps and opportunities for improving environmental governance practices. We also advocate for a holistic and sustainable approach to volcanic lake management that balances ecological conservation and socioeconomic development in Lake Menjer by fostering collaboration and co-management approaches. Key recommendations include fostering inclusive decision-making processes and promoting knowledge exchange and capacity-building initiatives with collaborative environmental governance approaches.