PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) conducted river watershed rehabilitation activities on 344 hectares (ha) in Bukit Menoreh area, Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY). This project already moved into its third year of maintenance, having begun in 2021.Bukit Menoreh area provides water for the residents of DIY and Central Java. The watershed rehabilitation was done to restore its function as part of the life support system, to keep natural water resources in the community.
Also, Bukit Menoreh serves as a gateway for tourists arriving at Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) and heading to Borobudur Temple.
"Not only restoring critical land, PTBA's watershed rehabilitation activities in Bukit Menoreh area also support the development of the Borobudur Temple Super Priority Tourist Destination (DPSP). This is a form of PTBA's commitment to sustainable development," said PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) Corporate Secretary, Niko Chandra.
PTBA planted 137,600 productive plant seeds that are beneficial for the welfare of the people in the area, including Musangking Durian, Montong Durian, Alligator Avocado, Kendil Avocado, Mangosteen, Kateki Longan, Petai Gobang, Kristal Guava, Arum Manis Mango, and Madu Deli Watery Rose Apple.
It is intended that these fruit trees will lessen the need for wood collection and logging. Since woody plants make up the majority of the community's current plantings, trees are occasionally chopped down to harvest their wood.
"Planting fruit trees will put an end to tree chopping and replace it with fruit harvesting, preventing future environmental damage. Fruit products have the potential to improve local community revenue, both through direct sales of fruit during harvest and as a catalyst for the emergence of new post-harvest businesses," explained Niko.
The local community is always involved in PTBA's watershed rehabilitation activities. 64 Community Forest Farmer Groups from 19 villages have taken part in the entire planting process, from the original planting to the ongoing plant maintenance. PTBA also provides training on how to produce high-quality seeds and a variety of supporting facilities including fertilizer and composters.
"Through Training on Making Superior Vegetative Seeds and many supporting facilities, we hope to enable the community to sustain this environmental initiative on independently in the future," said Niko.
PTBA's watershed rehabilitation in Bukit Menoreh is in compliance with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's Watershed Rehabilitation Decree (KLHK). This is PTBA's responsibility as a corporation with a Forest Area Borrow-to-Use Permit (IPPKH).
PTBA collaborates with various parties to restore watersheds in Bukit Menoreh area, including Serayu Opak Progo PDAS Center, DIY Environment and Forestry Service, UGM Forestry Faculty, Field Work Extension Officers, business partners, Forest Farmer Groups and Bukit Menoreh Communities.
