BRG Optimistic to Restore 400,000 Hectare Peatland

Palangkaraya, (AntaraNews) - Head of Restoration of Peat (BRG) Nazir Foead is optimistic to intervene more than 400,000 hectares of peatland that must be restored in 2017.

"400,000 hectares is highly attainable, I think. The President wants 400,000 hectares, but we could do more, because there is a debt of 300,000 hectares before," Nazir said on the sidelines of a working visit in South and Central Kalimantan in Palangkaraya, Thursday.

BRG, he said, prepares Rp865 billion from state budget and Rp500 billion from donors to carry out the restoration in 2017.

Earlier he had said that out of a total of 400,000 ha target of restoration in 2017, more than a half or 282,189 ha were to be companies to do.

That too, he said, will be added to the land that has not been restored by the companies in 2016 which reached 600,000 ha.

Moreover, according to him, BRG together with the Ministry of Environment and Forests (KLHK), Ministry of Agriculture, and the company are verifying indicative area of 25 concession holders that peatlands should be restored.

As soon as the verification is complete, he said, the restoration of a warrant can be sent.