Jakarta (ANTARA) - Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya spoke at length on the government's steps to curb air pollution through its programs involving several parties.

"Air and water pollution are among the issues surfacing among the public now," Nurbaya stated at the opening of Environment and Forestry Week 2019 held at the Jakarta Convention Center here on Thursday.

The minister remarked that the government's efforts encompassed updating the regulation on emission and euro-4 fuel standard.

The government has also made continued efforts to improve services in mass transportation using environment-friendly fuel; developing more city parks, urban forest, and botanical garden; imposing car-free day; and offering facilities for pedestrians.

"This is since efforts to green the neighborhood and preserve the environment hold high relevance," the minister added.

She remarked that for industries, the government had monitored the fulfillment of its raw material emission target and sustainable reporting on emission integrated with the reporting system of the Environment and Forestry Ministry.

Nurbaya remarked that the government had continued to enforce the law and encourage the application of advanced technology for industries that can potentially pollute the environment.

The ministry has, since 2015, developed an e-quality monitoring system in 26 cities across the country to monitor air quality in real time.

Moreover, nearly 45 stations owned by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), local governments, and private institutions have been integrated into the system.

Thus, the number of air quality monitoring stations accessible through the ministry's website has reached 71.

Translator: Katriana, Sri Haryati
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019