Environment Minister supports ULM's Kotabaru mangrove forest management

Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated his support for the University of Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) in managing 611 hectares mangrove forest in Kotabaru District, South Kalimantan, as mandated by the government.

The Minister also reminded about the importance of managing sea waste as part of efforts to conserve the Kotabaru mangrove forest.

"Conservation efforts should not making a new problem, such as marine trash and so on," he said here on Monday.

He underscored that this project is not mainly aming to repair coastal ecosystem, but to provide economic and social benefits for local people as well.

Related news: ULM makes Kotabaru mangrove a center for coastal community development

Hanif suggested the name "Indonesian Tropical Mangrove Laboratory" as the identity for the mangrove planting carried out by ULM.

ULM Rector Professor Ahmad Alim Bachri and his team have presented a proposal for a conservation plan for the Kotabaru mangrove forest area to the Environment Minister.

ULM, which was led by the Wetland Environmental Academic Support Unit (UPA LLB), involved all components to make the implementation of mangrove area rehabilitation successful, accurate and fast according to the minister's direction.

"The Minister also reminded us about small things such as in building material in coastal areas, we should use wood as a more sustainable foundation ," said the rector.