President Jokowi Inspects Mentawir Nursery in E. Kalimantan

President Jokowi inspects Mentawir Nursery in North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan province, Thursday (02/23). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Dindha)

The Government is committed to protect the environment and support regreening program at the Nusantara Capital (IKN) area and Kalimantan island through the development of Mentawir Nursery.

“The big idea starts here. Our commitment to the environment starts from the nursery development,” the President said, at North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan province, Thursday (02/23).

According to the President, the nursery area has been prepared since 2021 and will produce approximately 20 million seeds annually.

The seeds planted at the nursery include endemic Kalimantan plants and some of Kalimantan’s rare trees.

“Previously, the IKN area adopted monoculture [farming], only one variety was grown, that is eucalyptus. The area will later be filled with other plants and seeds,” he said.

In addition to the regreening program at the IKN area, the development of Mentawir Nursery will also support the reforestation of Kalimantan island, including the reclamations of mining area and critical lands in the island.

“Like it or not, we have to reforest those sites. The key is indeed in the nursery,” he added.

On that occasion, the President explained that Mentawir Nursery would also support the forest city concept promoted by the IKN. He expressed hope that the concept could be presented through the nursery.

(BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (RIF/MMB)