Batang Alai Timur, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - The Central Hulu Sungai (HST) government in collaboration with the Barito Catchment Area and Protected Forest Management Agency (BPDAS-HL) of the Environment and Forestry Ministry (KLHK) planting 237,500 trees on 380 hectares of land in Hinas Kiri Village, Batang Alai Timur Sub-district.
The local government, BPDAS-HL Barito and the Suka Maju Farmers Group in Hinas Kiri Village target the planting to be completed in December 2023. Among the trees they plant are sungkai, rubber, meranti, durian, avocado, and dogfruit.
“All the harvest will be for villagers, to improve their economy, so it is from the community for the community,” said HST Regent Aulia Oktafiandi in Batang Alai Timur, HST, Sunday.
Aulia said that the cooperation in planting is a commitment of the local government to preserve the environment, especially protecting the Meratus Mountains so that they remain green.
The benefits of trees, he said, is not only for picking crops, but also for the survival of living things in the forest environment.
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Head of BPDAS-HL Barito Supriyanto Sukmo Sejati as the organizer said the program is one of the KLHK's priorities by selecting farmers group in the village to manage production forest using the state budget.
The first year to focus on planting until December 2023, then in 2024 the focus is in maintenance and the next year it wil be handed over to the local Forest Management Unit (KPH) to provide assistance to farmers group.
Tree seeds are available, but still waiting for the hot condition to end in order to be effective in planting, so the plants don't die due to extreme weather.
The area ready for planting in the production forest is approximately 50 hectares, while another 330 hectares are in preparation stage.
He hopes that all parties will commit and work together so that the planting on the 380 hectares of land will be completed by the end of 2023.
“Villagers are given the right to harvest the produce,” said Supriyanto.
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