LHK Ministry examines "Save Meratus" demands

Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya accompanied by South Kalimantan Regional Secretary Abdul Haris laying the first stone for the construction of the Jokowi Plaza in Sultan Adam's Public Forest Park (Tahura) on Tuesday (7/30) 2019. (Antaranews Kalsel/Latif Thohir)

Regarding the demands of 'Save Meratus', we the team from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry are now examining and reviewing it,

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Siti Nurbaya Bakar said currently her party is researching and reviewing the demands of the people of South Kalimantan to protect Meratus from mining and oil palm plantations.

"Regarding the demands of 'Save Meratus', we the team from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry are now examining and reviewing it," the minister said after laying the first stone for the construction of the Jokowi Plaza in Sultan Adam's Public Forest Park (Tahura) on Tuesday.

But what certain, she added, is that what has been done by the Provincial Government of South Kalimantan and the district government is in line with the expectations of the central government.

According to her, her side learned a lot from South Kalimantan, related to the issue of reclamation and rehabilitation of the mine and forest areas.

"I have also coordinated with the Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and Public Works (PU) ministries, as soon as possible to make environmental improvements from mining activities, including mine pits," she said.

According to her, the issue of the number of holes caused by mining is an old issue that must be immediately addressed.

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"Mr. President and Mr. Vice President requested that environmental issues, including mine pits, be dealt with as soon as possible and immediate remedial efforts were made," he said.

Meanwhile the construction of the Jokowi Plaza as an effort to improve the people's economy around the forest area was carried out exactly at the location where President Joko Widodo planted trees in 2015.

The construction of Jokowi Plaza, added Siti, is an effort by the South Kalimantan Provincial Government to effectively develop forest areas in a sustainable manner, as well as the center of regional economic growth.

"I have asked all forestry ranks so that the forest area is no longer a closed area," she said.