Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) plans to restore 360 thousand hectares of peatland in 2022 by implementing the peatland hydrological unit (KHG) model, BRGM’s deputy of construction, operations, and preservation has informed.

Speaking at the 'BRGM Year-End Reflection' event here on Thursday, Tris Raditian said that the target has been determined in accordance with Presidential Regulation Number 120/2020 regarding BRGM.

Based on the regulation, the total restoration target till 2024 is 1.2 million hectares, he noted.

The 2022 peatland restoration program will be conducted in seven provinces: Riau (158,636 hectares), Jambi (37,225 hectares), South Sumatra (46,642 hectares), West Kalimantan (36,498 hectares), Central Kalimantan (68,513 hectares), South Kalimantan (922 hectares), and Papua (11,564 hectares), he added.

Related news: Massive peatland damage connected to flooding: researcher

In addition to the KHG model, the agency will also resort to systematic and integrated peat ecosystem management to achieve the restoration target, Raditian revealed.

"Previously, we acted based on the ‘quick response’ principle, thus the implementation of the restoration program was unintegrated. However, currently, we will focus on achieving a systematic and structured KHG model," he emphasized.

The KHG model was developed based on empirical experience gained during the previous program implementation period from 2016 to 2021, as well as a number of relevant theories, he said.

The establishment of the model is aimed to obtain optimum KHG with a balanced and stable ecosystem, he added.

The development of the model was carried out through the stages of planning, institutionalization, technical determination of restoration interventions, empowerment and incentives provision, as well as monitoring and evaluation, Raditian said.

At the same event, the agency disclosed that it rehabilitated 34,911 hectares of mangroves in 2021, exceeding its target of 33 thousand hectares.

Initially, the target for the mangrove rehabilitation in 2021 was 83 thousand hectares, it informed. However, it was revised to 33 thousand hectares on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, it added.
Related news: BRGM exceeds 2021 mangrove rehabilitation target
Related news: BRGM plants mangroves to commemorate National Tree Planting Day



Translator: Prisca Violleta, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021