Tanah Laut to turn ex-mining land into ecotourism and ranch

Pelaihari, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Regent of Tanah Laut, South Kalimantan, H Sukamta stated his government will develop post-mining reclamation land into ecotourism and cattle ranching.

A team will be made, he said, in order local government able to monitor reclamation process  in the ex-mining land in the district.

"Our team continues to be effective so the reclamation (keep being monitored) in Tanah Laut," Sukamta spoke at the final seminar on post-mining land reclamation engineering study in South Kalimantan at the Province's Research and Development Agency Office, Wednesday (2/10).

Tanah Laut government, he explained, keep thinking on handling post-reclamation in order it will add economic value for the local people. 
And on this basis, he said, Tanah Laut has built commitment with PT Arutmin Kintap. "20 hectares of post-mining reclamation land is being collaborated to become cattle breeding center. I have seen my ownself, grass, trees have grown well and the location is suitable  for cattle farming," he pointed out.

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According to him, if reclamation land only to be made as forest without economics activity, then local people will return to 70s or 80s.

Meanwhile, the district government has connected PT Arutmin Kintap with farmers group of Bumi Asih Village to cooperate in producing animal feed.

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"The farmers group now able to make animal feed and this can improve cattle nutrition," he told.

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But in doing all the activities, he acknowledged, the problem is in regulation. "How will the post-mining land be handed over to the local government to be managed as we have planned. Now we make our effort, because we must fight for this regulation to the LHK Ministry," he iterated.