DPR Supports the Proposal for Mount Slamet to Become a National Park to Restore the Ecological Function of the Forest

Gunung Slamet/DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IV of the House of Representatives Hindun Anisah supports the proposal of the Central Java Provincial Government to designate the Mount Slamet area as a national park.

He assessed that the determination was important to restore the ecological functions of forests, which have been continuously degraded due to land use changes.

"Mount Slamet has a strategic role as a water catchment area and buffer for the lives of the surrounding communities. When the forest is damaged, then hydrometeorological disasters such as floods and landslides become inevitable," said Hindun, Friday, January 30.

Hindun said that the floods and landslides that occurred in a number of areas in Central Java could not be separated from the massive change in the function of forest areas. According to him, many forest areas that should be protected areas are instead converted into non-forest agricultural land, such as vegetable crops.

"This condition reduces the soil's absorption of rainwater, thus triggering massive flooding and landslides in residential areas," he said.

Based on data from the Ministry of Forestry, the Gunung Slamet forest area has an area of approximately 31,376 hectares. The details include production forests managed by Perhutani with an area of approximately 10,000 hectares, Special Management Forest Areas (KHDPK) or social forestry with an area of approximately 30,000 hectares, a nature reserve area with an area of 56 hectares, and a protected area with an area of approximately 30 hectares.

Hindun also highlighted the worrying condition of forest damage. Forest Service data recorded that forest damage in the Tegal area reached around 48 hectares and in Brebes reached 120 hectares.

"Even in the Capit Urang-Igir Klanceng area, Brebes Regency, forest damage was recorded as 25 hectares," he said.

In addition to the factor of land function transfer, Hindun explained, the landslide disaster in the Mount Slamet area was also triggered by extreme rainfall that occurred in several consecutive days. High and long-term rainfall intensity causes the soil to be saturated with water so that the stability of the slope decreases drastically.

'Landslides generally occur on steep slopes on the body of Mount Slamet. This condition is exacerbated by the characteristics of the soil which has high porosity and easily absorbs water. When the soil reaches the saturation point, coupled with the steep slope and the type of rock that is easily weathered, then the potential for soil movement is greater and difficult to avoid," he explained.

Therefore, according to Hindun, the designation of Mount Slamet as a national park is a long-term strategic step to stop the rate of forest damage. He assessed that the status of a national park provides comprehensive protection for the ecosystem, not only for certain species, but also for the entire ecological system that exists within it.

"National parks allow for stricter protection of flora and fauna and their natural habitats. This is important to maintain the balance of ecosystems, hydrological cycles, and prevent future ecological disasters," he concluded.

Previously, the Central Java Provincial Government (Jateng) had proposed to the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) that the Mount Slamet area be designated as a national park. This is to accelerate forest rehabilitation in the area.

Head of the Environment and Forestry Service (DLHK) of Central Java Province, Widi Hartanto, admitted that there was a change in land use in the Mount Slamet area. This is one of the factors causing the recent floods in Pemalang, Purbalingga, Brebes, Tegal, and Banyumas, five districts located at the foot of the mountain.

"So on the slopes of Mount Slamet there are also some functions, ranging from Brebes, Tegal, Pemalang. This is actually a factor that also affects (the occurrence of flooding). But in fact, initially it was very heavy rainfall, which was extreme at the peak," said Widi in Semarang City, Wednesday, January 28.