Acting director general of watershed control and forest rehabilitation at the Environment and Forestry Ministry, Helmi Basalamah, said that the watershed rehabilitation activity in the Menoreh hills area will last for three years.
It is estimated that the activity will employ at least 87,439 workers, he informed in a written statement received here on Tuesday.
At least 901,955 seeds will be planted under the program, he said. The seeds will belong to multipurpose tree species such as durian, avocado, longan, mangosteen, among others, he added.
Plants that support water systems, such as guava and gayam, will also be planted under the program, Basalamah said.
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The first plantation activity under the Menoreh watershed rehabilitation program began on Sunday (November 28, 2021), he informed, adding that it coincided with the National Tree Planting Day.
According to Basalamah, the main objective of the activity is to restore the environment, specifically, maintain natural "water towers", increase community productivity, support the Borobudur tourist area, increase forest cover, mitigate disasters, and improve community welfare.
He said that overall, there are five holders of the Forest Area Use Agreement who will plant trees as part of the watershed rehabilitation program.
The recent plantation was conducted over an area spanning 1,656 hectares and spread over 13 villages in three regions: Magelang and Purworejo districts in Central Java and Kulon Progo District in Yogyakarta, he added.
One of the companies that have been appointed to conduct the watershed rehabilitation program in the Menoreh hills area is PT Adaro Indonesia, which will rehabilitate 512 hectares, he informed.
The watershed rehabilitation program will continue amid the COVID-19 pandemic, involving the community in the process as a means to offer employment to local residents, he said.
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Translator: Virna P S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
