Govt to convert swamp into productive areas<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to transform large tracts
\nof swamp into commercially productive areas such as paddy fields,
\ncash crop plantations, fisheries and even residential areas, a
\nsenior official from the Ministry of Public Works says.<\/p>\n
Director General for Water Resource Development Soeparmono
\nsaid on Tuesday that Indonesia currently has 33 million hectares
\nof swamp, nine million hectares of which could be converted into
\nproductive land.<\/p>\n
The government has already converted 5.6 million hectares of
\nswamp into paddy fields and 1.2 million hectares into fish ponds.<\/p>\n
Soeparmono said tracts of swamp found along the coasts of
\nSumatra, Kalimantan and Irian Jaya have already been earmarked
\nfor various projects, from palm oil plantations to settlements.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a seminar on the lowland development concept, he
\nsaid the projects could generate new job opportunities for 15
\nmillion people.<\/p>\n
\"Swamps are quite strategic in easing unemployment and
\neradicating poverty,\" he asserted.<\/p>\n
He quickly addressed fears from environmental groups that
\nfilling in swamps would upset the ecological balance and
\ntherefore harm the environment. He stressed that the
\nenvironmental impact was taken into consideration when local
\nadministrators drew up their spatial zoning plans.<\/p>\n
\"Many swamps have been allocated for natural reserves to
\nconserve the environment and maintain ecological systems in
\ncoastal areas,\" he assured.<\/p>\n
Japan, which has developed the technology, will help Indonesia
\ndevelop the swamp areas, Soeparmono said. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-to-convert-swamp-into-productive-areas-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}