KLH Focuses On Environmental Restoration In Hulu DAS Ciliwung

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Environment (KLH) will focus on the restoration of the upstream Ciliwung Watershed (DAS) which is one of the priorities in the environmental restoration program considering its vital role as a water catchment area.

"The watershed should be a top priority in the environmental restoration program. Replanting trees that have the ability to store water reserves, such as endemic trees in mountainous areas, is a strategic step," said LH Minister/Head of the Environmental Control Agency Hanif Faisol Nurofiq in a statement in Jakarta, Antara, Friday, January 17.

"This is not only about maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, but also ensuring the sustainability of people's lives downstream," he added.

The statement was issued after previously Minister LH Hanif led tree planting activities in two locations, namely the Gunung Mas area and the Ciliwung River Kilometer Zero Point in Telaga Saat, West Java, on Thursday.

He highlighted that the function of trees upstream of watersheds not only helps reduce the risk of erosion and increase soil absorption, but also maintains the balance of river water discharges, especially during the rainy season.

In particular, the main challenge in saving the Ciliwung watershed is the consistency of real action in policy implementation. This is because the Puncak area has faced great pressure due to land transfer, massive development, and environmental degradation.

As many as 72 percent of the Ciliwung watershed area has turned into built land, thereby reducing water absorption and increasing the risk of flooding in downstream areas such as Jakarta.

For this reason, collaboration between the government, the private sector, academics, community organizations, and individuals, he said, is very necessary.

"With the cooperation of all parties and a strong determination, we can restore Ciliwung to the backbone of Jakarta's ecology," said Minister of Environment and Forestry Hanif Faisol Nurofiq.