"There are 13 rivers that become the national priorities for restorations," the minister told the press after the signing of an agreement on Ciliwung river restoration with the South Korean environmental affairs ministry, here Monday.
The Ciliwung Restoration Agreement was signed by the Environmental Affairs Ministry, the Korean Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI) and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
Of the 13 rivers, Ciliwung River will be the pilot project. "We are focusing on Ciliwung first," the minister said.
The Indonesian government chose South Korea as a partner in the river restoration project because the country had successfully managed to reduce pollution in Han River.
"South Korea has gone through a very fast industrialization process that caused serious pollution in rivers such as Han River. But, we have successfully overcome the problem through our restoration efforts," South Korean Environmental Affairs Minister, Yoo Young Sook said.
"In the past Korea`s rivers were polluted. With the help of appropriate technologies, we have managed to address the problem. Now, it`s time to share the technologies with other countries," he added.
The Ciliwung river restoration project will include the constructions of a domestic waste processing facility, an environmental education center and environmentally friendly facilities.
The project will become a turning point for similar river restoration works through the country.
Restoration efforts under the agreement will be made over the coming 36 months, up to 2015, requiring up to Rp10 billion in funds from the Indonesian government and the US$9 million from South Korea.
(F001/A064)
Editor: Maryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
