The purpose of this study was to find out how the legal protection of the
Konaweha River against nickel mining activities in Konawe Regency is. The type
of legal research used is empirical legal research. Data collection techniques were
carried out by interviewing informants and respondents. The resource person for
this research is the Regional Office for River Region IV, Southeast Sulawesi
Province. The respondents of this research are the Department of the
Environment. The results of the study indicate that the Environmental Service has
carried out legal protection in the form of preventive protection against the
Konaweha River but has not been optimal. However, in this case there are
obstacles in its implementation due to the lack of funds to make a regulation and
the authorized institutions have their respective limitations.