Mangrove forest rehabilitation has started nowPontianak (ANTARA) - The Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) plans to reforest six thousand hectares of mangrove forests in five districts in West Kalimantan Province.
Head of BRGM Hartono stated here on Thursday that reforestation will be conducted in mangrove forests in the coastal areas of Kubu Raya, Sambas, Mempawah, North Kayong, and Ketapang districts.
"Damage has indeed been caused to some six thousand hectares of mangrove forests in West Kalimantan and should be reforested immediately to prevent coastal erosion," Hartono remarked after observing the Mempawah Mangrove Park in Mempawah.
Hartono highlighted the government’s plan to reforest 3.31 million hectares of mangrove forests across Indonesia, including around six thousand hectares of mangrove forests in West Kalimantan.
"Mangrove forest rehabilitation has started now," he noted.
According to the 2007-2010 data, the mangrove forest area in West Kalimantan reaches around 177,023 hectares. However, not all mangrove forests that have been identified can be rehabilitated immediately, partly since some are located in areas that do not have wave barriers.
"We will at the same time reevaluate the identified mangrove forest land to see if it needs to be rehabilitated immediately or postponed two years after the breakwater is constructed," he remarked.
Hartono pointed out that West Kalimantan had 31 mangrove forest spots, with an area spanning 15 to 20 hectares, and the identification results indicate that mangrove tree seedlings can be planted directly.
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Translator: Andilala dan Slamet Ardiansyah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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