Acting Director General of Marine Spatial Management of the ministry T. B. Haeru Rahayu noted in a statement here on Friday that the ICRG program is an initial step towards recovery of the tourism sector in Bali direly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ICRG program, launched on October 7, 2020, is a labor-intensive initiative for coral reef restoration in five locations in Bali: Nusa Dua, Serangan, Sanur, Pandawa Beach, and Buleleng.
"The ICRG program has targeted to restore 50 hectares of coral garden in five locations in Bali," Haeru revealed.
The program is expected to absorb some 11 thousand workers impacted by the pandemic and involved organizations experienced in coral transplantation.
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The coral reef garden will be built from the budget allocated by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The allocation will be sourced from the National Economic Recovery (PEN) fund of Rp111.2 billion.
The ICRG is part of the National Economic Recovery targeted to lower the impact of COVID-19 on the economy sector.
Meanwhile, the ministry's Director of Marine Services Miftahul Huda stated that the ICRG program will prioritize local workers as well as material, so it can boost local welfare.
The coral reef restoration program is focused on the development of the coral garden structure and its supporting facilities.
Huda affirmed that the program is expected to expedite recovery in marine tourism and increase the people's income, which will furthermore reduce poverty, create more jobs, and support economic growth in the marine sector.
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Translator: M Razi Rahman, Sri Haryati
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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