goodmorningpapua.com – A Head of the Working Group (Kapokja) for Peat Restoration in Kalimantan and Papua, Indonesian Peat and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM), Jany Tri Rahardjo, said that peat areas in Papua are well preserved and managed.
It was explained that the total area of peatland in Papua is 2.6 million hectares. Meanwhile, the target for restoration is only 39,239 hectares. This is what makes BRGM more focused on improving of the welfare of the Papuan people.
“Papua Province has a target of 39 thousand which is located in areas that burned in 2015-2017. Peat wetting infrastructure development is not carried out in Papua because there are no canal protected peat areas,” said Jany, in the Peat Restoration Socialization in Papua Province, some time ago. .
He explained that the peat restoration activities in Bumi Cendrawasih were focused on revitalizing the community’s economy. The goal is an effort to improve the community’s economy so that it has an impact on awareness in maintaining and managing peatlands.
“Our impression, attention, and concern for Papua with protected peatlands is dominated by activities to improve the welfare of the community through activities such as land-based as well as fisheries and ecotourism,” explained Jany.
One of the activities carried out in order to improve the welfare of the people in Papua is the cultivation of local sago plants. In Asmat Regency, the cultivation is carried out on an area of 25 hectares. Meanwhile in Mappi Regency it is around 177 hectares.
Not only that, people living in the Bian Lake Wildlife Reserve area, Merauke, were also given various assistances to improve their welfare and economy. This is done in collaboration with the Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA). There are four packages given to the community. The package given to the community in Boha Village is in the form of procurement of environmentally friendly fishing gear. Then in Kampung Pond, a package for the use of the yard of the house was given for the cultivation of fruit crops and the manufacture of banana flour.
“In Pachas Village, it is in the form of procuring environmentally friendly fishing gear and increasing the production of shredded fish. Then in Waan Village, it is the procurement of environmentally friendly fishing gear. Everything has been already on going in the field,” said Jany. Peat restoration approaches and techniques. For information, in peat restoration there are 3R or 3P techniques.
First, rewetting or re-discussion by building canal blocking, drilled wells, and filling canals so that the peatlands are wet again so that they are not easily burned. The second is revegetation or replanting through seeding, nurseries, planting, and natural regeneration. Third, revitalization by improving community welfare by means of agriculture, fisheries, and ecotourism.