Barabai won the cleanest city award for five times

Barabai, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - Barabai, the capital city of Central Hulu Sungai (HST) in South Kalimantan, won Adipura Award for the fifth times for its achievement in cleanliness and greenery.

The Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar handed over the award to HST Vice Regent HA Chairansyah and witnessed by President of Indonesia Joko Widodo in Environment Day 2017 ceremony on Wednesday.

Banjarmasin, Banjarbaru, Pelaihari, Rantau, Marabahan, and Kandangan are among cities in South Kalimantan who won this year's Adipura from the Environment and Forestry Ministry.

According to the President, Indonesians have always been dependent and integrated with nature, so nature seems to be an important identity for Indonesia.

"With regard to the environment, we consider that there are still many arbitrary areas in the granting of licenses, which can damage the environment and not benefit the community," he said.

Jokowi wants every region to make a breakthrough and not monotonous, the forest management must be formulated and really can be done and the economic and environmental results can be enjoyed.

"We are very appreciative to all regions and regional heads who are consistent in maintaining their environment, so that they will continue to be beautiful and careful with activities that are detrimental to the local community," he said.

Vice Regent HA Chairansyah said the central government policy like what is said by the President is very much in line with HST district policy under the leadership of H Abdul Latif who consistently maintains the environment by not giving permission for coal mining and oil palm plantation.

"We would like to thank for the cooperation and good coordination to all stakeholders in the ranks of Government of HST, Yellow Forces and especially to all elements of society in an effort to maintain cleanliness in the city of Barabai," he said.