IKN Authority Designs Steps To Prevent Conflict Between Humans And Wildlife

The Capital Authority of the Archipelago (OIKN) stated that it had designed steps to prevent conflicts between humans and wildlife in the new nation's capital city in East Kalimantan (Kaltim).

Director of Forestry Utilization and Water Resources Development of the IKN Authority, Pungky Widiaryanto, said that this effort was carried out taking into account the natural habitat of wildlife in the area and the potential for interaction with humans in the future.

To overcome this, Pungky said OIKN had designed several strategies, one of which was to build a buffer zone in the suburbs. This buffer zone will later be planted with special plants.

"This buffer can function to dispel wild animals and potentially conflict with humans so as not to run into the city," said Pungky as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, March 25.

In addition, he said OIKN had also prepared guidelines for contractors and investors regarding the policy of protecting wildlife in the archipelago and its surroundings.

OIKN, he said, is also working with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) to form a rescue team to deal with wildlife and human conflicts.

He said OIKN is committed to maintaining biodiversity in the capital area of a new country, including fauna.

One of the efforts that will be made is to build artificial corridors to help animals traverse development areas and maintain their survival.

"Indeed, we realize that in several places in Kariangau there are several animal corridors, and we built artificial corridors so that the animals can pass from the Wain River to Balikpapan Bay. That is one of the unavoidable compensations," he said.

OIKN identifies seven areas in IKN and its surroundings that have high biodiversity.

The areas include Bentang Alam Gunung Besaus, Bukit Suharto Grand Forest Park, Balikpapan Bay, Wain River Protected Forest, Samboja Lestari, Muara Java, and Gunung Parung.

On Mount Parung, which is located close to the Central Government Core Area (KIPP), there are various wildlife, such as red tungs, bondol eagles, bekantan, and red can note.

Meanwhile, Balikpapan Bay is the habitat for estuarine crocodiles, green turtles, dugongs, and mahayam pesut.