Kelanawisata.id, Yogyakarta - Kawan Kelana, who says great tourist destinations must always be expensive or located far from the city? In a corner of Yogyakarta, precisely in Kampung Mrican, Giwangan, there is a destination that once went viral because it used to be a slum area. Today, it has transformed into an attraction offering a unique and memorable experience.

Bendung Lepen, an irrigation channel, has successfully evolved from a slum area into a park with a clear, flowing fish pond. In addition to the irrigation filled with freshwater fish, there is also a Public Green Open Space (RTHP) where visitors can sit and relax while enjoying the scenery. Visitors can also sit by the edge of the irrigation channel and feed the cultivated fish.

In the past, sitting back and enjoying the view in this area would have been unimaginable. Before 2019, Bendung Lepen was part of the Gajah Wong River irrigation system, with very poor conditions—garbage scattered everywhere, unpleasant odors, and the typical view of a riverside slum.

However, the power of community cooperation, especially among the youth of Mrican, sparked a brilliant idea. The development of the Public Green Open Space (RTHP) through the Kota Tanpa Kumuh (KOTAKU) program became an opportunity seized by the local youth to transform the landscape. They innovated by turning the irrigation channel, once used as a dumping site, into a space for fish cultivation.

With strong determination and unity, residents worked together to clean up the waste, dredge the mud, and transform the dirty canal into a clean water stream. Their collective efforts resulted in a beautiful, clean irrigation channel filled with fish—bringing a Japanese-style river ambiance into the heart of Yogyakarta.

“This is my first experience seeing fish cultivation in an irrigation channel, just like in Japan, and it’s very impressive. It turns out Jogja has something like this too,” said Devantian, a visitor at Bendung Lepen. This impression creates a unique and valuable experience for tourists. The sensation of enjoying a riverside holiday becomes a form of healing for visitors.

During the holiday season, Bendung Lepen attracts many visitors. This was shared by one of the vendors, Devi: “Alhamdulillah, during the holiday season, it’s much livelier. Income is also higher than usual.”

Bendung Lepen offers more than just a pleasant atmosphere. It provides environmentally based educational tourism for visitors. Tourism at Bendung Lepen supports the concept of quality tourism, offering a unique and meaningful experience. Visitors not only find relaxation but also gain insight by directly observing sustainable environmental practices.

Bendung Lepen is located in the southeastern part of Yogyakarta, precisely in Kampung Mrican, Giwangan, Umbulharjo, along the Gajah Wong River, about 5.9 kilometers from the Zero Point of Yogyakarta. It can be accessed by public transportation by stopping at Giwangan Terminal. Access to the site is limited and can only be reached by motorcycle or car.