Gov’t to Conduct Disaster Mitigation Program

President Jokowi inspects a Village Seedling Farm, Monday (3/2), in Pasir Madang Village, Sukajaya Subdistrict, Bogor Regency, West Java Province. (Photo by: PR / Rahmat)

In a bid to tackle floods and landslides issues occurring in various regions, including in Bogor Regency, the Government will conduct a disaster mitigation program through a reforestation project across the country, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“We are prepared to improve the existing ecosystem across Indonesia, including in Sukajaya Subdistrict so that it will not be disturbed and damaged,” President Jokowi said during the inspection of a Village Seedling Farm in Pasir Madang Village, Bogor Regency, West Java Province, Monday (3/2).

President Jokowi went on to say that the Government has prepared 92 thousand seeds of plants which considered to have an economic value such as jengkol (Archidendron pauciflorum), durian, soursop, and petai (Parkia speciosa), and sengon (Albizia chinensis) trees, as well as plant seeds that can improve the ecosystem such as veliver and sereh wangi (Cymbopogon nardus).

“The two types of approaches method, including a physical approach namely rebuilding houses for residents and a vegetative approach through reforestation, are expected to be able to resolve floods and landslides issue, the President said.

The President further said that the Government will provide more plant seeds. “Not only a physical approach, but a vegetative approach also needed for the ecosystem,” the President added.

On that occasion, the President told the residents regarding the benefit of landslide-preventing plants such as vetiver for the ecosystem.

“A number of plants that have economic value, such as durian, soursop, guava, and jengkol. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry will educate the residents regarding the benefits of several plants since the Ministry and the residents will take part in seeds-planting,” President Jokowi said.

According to the President, the budget needed for reforestation across Indonesia amounting to Rp1, 9 trillion this year, adding that the budget will be allocated for flood and landslide-affected areas as well as flood and landslide-prone areas.

“For instance, the Government is preparing to conduct tree-planting in Lake Toba and Gajah Mungkur reservoir,” President Jokowi said, adding that mining areas should be closed until rehabilitation.

The President also instructed the Governor and the Regent to decide the residents’ relocation. “It will be the Central Government’s duty if the relocation uses State-owned plantation company PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN)’s land,” the President said.

The President also said that once the land-clearing is completed, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) will rebuild houses for residents affected by flood and landslide immediately. “We are ready, yet the location should be decided first” the President concluded. (FID / EN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani