Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Provincial Government of South Kalimantan and Tanah Laut District Government agreed collaborate to build embung or retention basin of Riam Pinang in Bajuin, Tanah Laut.
The agreement was inked by Head of South Kalimantan Forestry Office Fathimatuzzahra and Head of Tanah Laut Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR) Office Syakhril Hadrianadi in Banjarbaru, Tuesday (March 4, 2025).
Fathimatuzzahra said the construction of this embung has an important role in maintaining water availability in Bajuin area, Tanah Laut District.
She emphasized that the function of the retention basin or embung is to provide various needs, including irrigation and environmental conservation.
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"With this embung it is hoped that the ecosystem around forest area can be better maintained and provides benefits to the surrounding community in better management of water resources," said the Forestry Office head.
She underscored that the construction of Riam Pinang retention basin also has a strategic goal of controlling forest and land fires in Tanah Laut District.
In addition, she said, the retention basin also becomes a source of water for wildlife and increase soil humidity, thereby reducing the risk of wider fires.
"The availability of sufficient water in the embung will help the fire extinguishing process more effectively and quickly if forest fire occurs," she said again.
The building of embung in Riam Pinang, said Fathimatuzzahra, becomes a concrete example of how cooperation between agencies can provide broad benefits, both for the environment and the surrounding communities.
"Hopefully this cooperation can run well and gives a positive impact on forest management in South Kalimantan, especially in mitigating forest and land fires," said Fathimatuzzahra.
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