Perhutani Agrees Its Land To Be Relocated For Affected Residents Of Semeru

SURABAYA - Perum Perhutani agreed to provide technical considerations for its forest land to be used as a relocation site for victims who have lost their homes due to increased activity of Mount Semeru, because administratively and technically there are no problems.

"In principle, administratively and technically there are no problems, while waiting for proposals and data collection on which location is the safest location," said Perum Perhutani President Director Wahyu Kuncoro, in a press release quoted by Antara, Thursday, December 9.

Wahyu, after meeting the Deputy Regent of Lumajang Indah Amperawati at the Perhutani Disaster Preparedness Post in Penanggal Village, Candipuro District, Lumajang, said that as long as it follows procedures from the Ministry of Forestry and Environment (KLHK), Perhutani will have no problem.

Head of the Regional Division of Perhutani Jatim Karuniawan Purwanto Sanjaya said to speed up the current relocation process, it could refer to the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number P.27 of 2018.

The regulation is regarding Guidelines for Borrowing and Using Forest Areas 7 of 2021 concerning Forestry Planning, Changes in Forest Area Designations and Changes in Forest Area Functions, and Use of Forest Areas.

According to him, the regulation allows the mechanism for releasing forest areas to be used for the placement of victims of natural disasters or borrowing and using forest areas without compensation.

This is, as Perhutani did in the relocation of residents whose areas were inundated by the Semantok dam in Nganjuk Regency and the Kedung Brubus Reservoir in Madiun and Bondowoso Regencies.

Deputy Regent of Lumajang Indah Amperawati said that she would still see a safe zone for the relocation of the Semeru victims.

"We will of course discuss this with the geological agency and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry whether the selected location is a safe zone," he said.

Meanwhile, Indah said, to relocate residents due to the eruption of Mount Semeru, a 40-hectare area is needed, which is located in Penaggal Village, Candipuro District.