Kapuas

Kapuas is a major river in western Borneo, Indonesia. It runs through West Kalimantan province and is among the longest rivers in Indonesia as well as on the island of Borneo. The river rises in the central highlands of Borneo and generally flows northwest, passing through the Kapuas Hulu and Sintang regencies before reaching the city of Pontianak. Near Pontianak the river forms a broad delta and empties into the Karimata Strait, part of the South China Sea.

The Kapuas basin is predominantly tropical rainforest and peatland. Its extensive network of tributaries includes the Sekayam and other rivers. The upper watershed is protected in part by Betung Kerihun National Park, which helps conserve the headwaters. In the lower reaches the river delta supports mangrove habitats. The Kapuas supports fisheries and provides transportation routes, making it integral to local livelihoods and regional trade.

Human activity and development have shaped the river system. The Kapuas has long served as an inland transportation corridor, linking inland communities with Pontianak and other coastal towns. Economic activity around the river includes fishing, riverine trade, forestry, and agriculture. Environmental challenges include deforestation and peat drainage in the upper basin, sedimentation, and water pollution, all of which can affect flood dynamics, water quality, and ecosystem health.