Jakarta (ANTARA) - Construction of the Mentawir Nursery in East Kalimantan was almost 100-percent complete and is ready to aid in greening the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated.

"Mentawir Nursery will help in the greening efforts in IKN and its surrounding areas. It is almost 100 percent completed, and only needs some finishing touches," he remarked during his visit to Mentawir Nursery in North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, Thursday.

According to the head of state, plant seeds from the nursery are prepared to be planted at IKN to help in restoring the forests around IKN, so as to facilitate in returning the new capital and its surroundings to tropical rainforests.

The president noted that the planting location will be regulated by the Environment and Forestry (LHK) Ministry and the IKN Authority (OIKN).

"The planting regulation and location will be arranged by the LHK Ministry and OIKN. They will be responsible to return the beauty of IKN after being developed and also return the forests in surrounding areas to becoming tropical rainforests and not homogeneous forests," he remarked.

The head of state remarked that the Mentawir Nursery reflected the government's commitment to improving the environment.

"Essentially, we want to improve the environment, and rehabilitate forests, such as natural forests, damaged forests, and damaged rainforests. We also plan to work on mangrove forests that need rehabilitation," he stated.

He noted that Mentawir Nursery is able to produce 15 million plant seeds ready for use.

"This is basic. If people want to plant, they do not have a nursery, they do not have seeds, so then where do they get them from? This shows our strong commitment that we really want to improve, and we really want to rehabilitate (the environment)," he remarked.

Jokowi stated that several plant seeds from the Mentawir Nursery were tabebuia and pucuk merah (Syzygium myrtifolium) for increasing the aesthetic appeal of the environment as well as seeds for sengon (Albizia chinensis), ironwood, shorea, and others.

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Translator: Indra Arief P, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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