After The Fallen Tree Incident Caused Casualties, The Tree Along Jalan Metro Pondok Indah Was Developed

(doc. Public Relations of the DKI Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has rejuvenated trees along Jalan Metro Pondok Indah, South Jakarta. This rejuvenation was carried out after the incident of a fallen tree at the location which resulted in casualties.

Head of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Parks and Forest Service, Fajar Sauri, revealed that eight old king palm trees were cut down. The tree also has root roughness so that it can endanger road users if allowed.

"This tree rejuvenation is an important step to ensure the safety and comfort of the community, as well as maintain the ecological balance of the city," Fajar told reporters, Tuesday, October 28.

As his replacement, Distamhut DKI Jakarta planted five Tabebuya trees in the same location. In addition, there will also be rejuvenation of approximately 200 Palem Raja trees along the median Jalan Metro Pondok Indah which stretches for 3.8 kilometers.

The reason for planting the tabebuya tree is that it has the ability to absorb pollutants and can grow well in limited areas. In addition, the tabebuya tree is considered to have a high aesthetic value.

"We are not only cutting down, but also replanting trees that are more suitable for urban environmental conditions.

"We invite the community to jointly protect and care for trees around us, because trees are not only greeners of the city, but also protectors of life," said Fajar.

Previously, heavy rain and strong winds caused a large tree to fall on a luxury Lexus car numbered B 1732 SJV on Jalan Metro Pondok, South Jakarta, Sunday, October 26, afternoon.

The tragic incident occurred at around 14.00 WIB causing the driver of the car to die on the spot. Residents and joint officers then evacuated the victim. Subagya's eyewitnesses said the large tree suddenly fell and hit the victim's passing car.

The driver of the black Lexus who died when a tree fell on Jalan Metro Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, was a 50-year-old man.

Responding to this, DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung ordered the DKI Jakarta City Parks and Forest Service (Distamhut) to cut down all old trees in Jakarta.

"I asked for an old tree to be cut," said Pramono at Grogrol Petamburan, West Jakarta, Monday, October 27.

In addition, Pramono also asked Distamhut to install a buffer fence in all trees that were considered to be fragile. This is intended to prevent damage to public facilities and assets belonging to the community from falling trees every heavy rain and strong winds, such as a fallen tree that hit a Lexus car on Jalan Metro Pondok Indah, on Sunday, October 26,

"With this incident, I have decided, I have ordered Pak Fajar (Head of Distamhut) to be handled immediately, maybe there are 5,000 trees that need triggers or buffers. Otherwise, this incident can happen again," he said.