Protect them to realize a natural tourism site (in the new capital).Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has emphasized that the development of the new capital Nusantara in East Kalimantan must consider environmental aspects, including the protection of species endemic to the region, such as orangutans and long-nosed monkeys.
"What is important is that we can protect orangutans in the new capital, and as we also have monkey and bekantan (long-nosed monkey) species in Kalimantan, they must be protected, too," he said while speaking to journalists whom he had invited on a tour of Mentawir Nursery at the new capital’s site in East Kalimantan on Thursday.
Protecting endemic species and other fauna would also bolster efforts to develop nature tourism at the new capital site, he noted.
"Protect them to realize a natural tourism site (in the new capital)," the President added.
He said that he had asked the relevant authorities to proceed with reforestation in areas surrounding Sepaku Dam, which, he believed, could be developed as a nature tourism site.
"Yesterday afternoon, I asked (the relevant authorities) to completely reforest Sepaku Dam, hence, it will be a nature tourism site for residents in Nusantara city," he added.
During the tour, the President informed that Mentawir Nursery is expected to produce up to 20 million seedlings annually.
The nursery, which has been prepared since two years ago, will bolster greening and reforestation efforts, not only in the new capital site, but also in all regions throughout Kalimantan Island, he added.
Meanwhile, Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, who accompanied the President on the tour, said that she has not received any specific instructions on developing a zoo at the new capital site from the President.
"No such instructions from the President yet," Bakar said.
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Translator: Gilang G/Desca LN, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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