Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) continues to involve citizens directly in peatland restoration and mangrove rehabilitation activities to ensure sustainability of the agency's programs.
"Moreover, (it is done) to ensure that citizens avail direct benefits, and it is not just ecological recovery but also proffers economic benefits. The citizens are close to this ecosystem," Head of BRGM Hartono oted in his statement released here Tuesday.
Hartono pointed out that mangrove rehabilitation in 2021 had involved 464 civilian organizations, with 34 members, on average, spread across North Sumatra, Riau Islands, Riau, Bangka Belitung, West Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Papua, and West Papua.
For peatland restoration, Hartono noted that some 1,155 civilian organizations were involved for construction of peatland rewetting infrastructure this year in Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and Papua.
The BRGM also collaborates with regional and central governments, such as the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Ministry.
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Hartono drew attention to numerous challenges encountered in conducting peatland restoration and mangrove rehabilitation though they would not erode the spirit of BRGM's personnel in fulfilling their duties.
"This spirit will drive success for this year's peatland and mangrove restoration," he asserted.
Hartono remarked that mangrove planting was conducted in around 3,981 hectares, and some 17,458 hectares of mangrove stretches were prepared.
"The effort to plant mangrove seeds will be continued until the planting target is achieved," he remarked.
Hartono also noted that similar efforts were being made for peatland restoration, such as the construction of peatland rewetting infrastructure that is currently underway.
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