Cutting And Replanting Trees Are Revitalized At Monas

JAKARTA - A number of felled trees in the revitalization area of the National Monument (Monas) have been replanted. This is a consequence of felling 191 trees on the south side of Monas, which several parties had protested against.

In accordance with the regulation of the Decree of the Head of the City Park Service in 2002, if the government carries out logging, it must replace it.

They had to replant three times the number of trees that were felled. That means, DKI Pemprov must plant 573 trees around the Monas revitalization area.

"By law, the trees that are felled must be replaced. It is an obligation. Regarding where the tree is placed, the alternative is on the left and right sides (the plaza that is being built)," said Head of Service Section of the Regional Service Unit (UPK) Monas Irfal. Urn when confirmed, Tuesday, February 4.

The replanting of trees at Monas began on Monday, February 3. Currently, several tall trees have been embedded in the land on the south side of Monas. The tree is given a support in the form of wood for a while so that it is planted in a balanced manner.

Even so, the contractors still stop working on revitalization activities. Given, the central government ordered to postpone the project until the Chairperson of the Steering Committee for the Medan Merdeka Area, namely the Minister of State Secretary, gave a recommendation.

Irfal said tree planting was handled by the DKI Jakarta Cipta Karya, Spatial Planning and Land Service (Citata). Even though he is required to plant 573 trees, Irfal does not know the exact number of trees that will be replanted.

"I don't know how many there are, because I only got information that trucks had come carrying trees," he said.

The tree, said Irfal, was a fast growing hard tree type. "The tree is a pule tree."

With the replanting of trees in the Monas revitalization area, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government finally acknowledged that it was actually cutting trees.

Regional Secretary of DKI Saefullah admitted that he had just received a report from his staff that 191 trees had indeed been cut down. Apart from that, there were also 83 trees with a maximum height of 2 meters that were moved.

"Trees are something that cannot be avoided. Some are dug up and then moved, some are completely unavoidable and then cut down," explained Saefullah.

In fact, in a press conference on Friday, January 24, Saefullah did not say that any trees had been cut down. He stated that only 83 trees were managed for removal.

"So, yesterday at the press conference, the number (mentioned) was that 55 were moved to the west side and 30 to the east. In fact, when we met, 191 trees were felled," said Saefullah.

Furthermore, the head of the PDIP faction, Gembong Warsono, appreciated the replanting of trees. The reason is, PDIP has also strongly criticized the revitalization development which has sacrificed trees on the south side of Monas.

"I am grateful that Mr. Anies realized his mistake. If it is cut down and planted again, it means that he is aware of his mistake," said Gembong.