700,000 ha of Forests in South Sumatra in Critical Condition

As of 2020, 700,000 hectares of forests in South Sumatra were in a critical state, from the total 3.46 million ha of forest in the province. Rehabilitation is being conducted by the government and the public.

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

A visitor is sitting under a pine trees in Punti Kayu Nature Tourism Park, Palembang City, Thursday (03/12/2020).

PALEMBANG, KOMPAS -- As of 2020, 700,000 hectares of forests in South Sumatra were in a critical state, from the total 3.46 million ha of forest. The rehabilitation process continues to be carried out primarily by involving people who live around the forests.

This was conveyed by South Sumatra Forestry Agency head Panji Tjahjanto while attending the commemoration of the 37th Day of Forest People in Punti Kayu Nature Tourism Park, Palembang, (12/3/2020). During the commemoration, 200 seedlings of fruit plants, such as duku, durian, longan, guava and soursop, were planted.

Panji said several activities had caused some areas to be in a critical condition, including land conversion and illegal logging. "One of the efforts to make restorations is to carry out land rehabilitation," said Panji.

Law enforcement efforts through raids and campaigns on the importance of the forests continue to be carried out,

In 2019, a number of parties rehabilitated around 20,000 ha of degraded land. They did this by planting trees and fruit plants. In 2020, around 6,000 ha of critical land will be replanted. "Of course the process must be carried out in stages," he said.

This is important because forests are crucial to human life, not only for the people inside the forest areas, but also outside the forest areas. "Law enforcement efforts through raids and campaigns on the importance of the forests continue to be carried out," he said.

Watershed and Protected Forest Management Center (BPDAS-HL) head Musi Siswo said that large areas of critical land had been rehabilitated in South Sumatra in the past five years. The Musi River Basin is one of the 15 national priority watersheds because of its wide influence, which includes Bengkulu, South Sumatra and Lampung.

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

A worker plants a tree in Punti Kayu Nature Tourism Park, Palembang City, Thursday (03/12/2020). Planting trees is an effort to reduce critical land in South Sumatra which has reached 700,000 hectares.

Community awareness about the need to carry out forest rehabilitation has increased. "At present, we are overwhelmed by the demand for seedlings," he said.

Siswo said the yearly demand for fruit plant seedlings had reached 2 million seedlings. The available stock is less than that. "In the past, we held a campaign [for forest rehabilitation]. Now, people start their own initiatives and come asking for seedlings," he said.

In the past, we ran the campaign. Now, people come to ask for seedlings. The people\'s awareness has increased. Many now understand the importance of protecting forests.

Siswo explained that the critical condition of forests, especially in the upstream areas, could increase the likelihood of a number of ecological disasters, such as floods and landslides.

ANTARA FOTO/NOVA WAHYUDI

Officers of a joint firefighting team carry fire extinguishing tools during a firefighting operation on peatland at a palm plantation in Parit village, North Indralaya, Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, on Friday (20/7/2018). The critical land in South Sumatra  has reached 700,000 hectares.

In the process of replanting the forests, said Siswo, his office involved the community living around the forest. "The trees that are planted [in the forest] have economic value to the community, so they are ready to protect the plants," he said.

In addition to the community, said Siswo, relevant agencies also needed to play a role, such as through river dredging and optimizing water catchment in upstream areas.

Nelsi Adelina, head of the Forest Tree Seedlings Center for Region I, said she had prepared 2.5 million seedlings for the community free of charge.

The seedlings are expected to have an impact on the local economy, by providing a source of non-timber produce. There are 18 to 20 types of forest plants that can be utilized. "Through this method, it is hoped that the damage to forests can be minimized," he said.