50,000 more mangrove trees planted

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirja signed a plaque on mangrove replacement project yesterday followed by the planting of 50,000 mangrove trees in North Jakarta.

The planting of the 50,000 mangrove trees marks the final stage of the five-year project. The planting will continue through Sept. 11.

Surjadi said that mangrove forests played an important role in protecting the coast from erosion, while taking the brunt of the north sea wind and providing a habitat for coastal wildlife.

The project, sponsored by the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) of Japan, started in 1990. The five-year project is part of a cooperation between Jakarta and Tokyo, which are bound as sister cities.

Up to 174,000 mangrove trees have been planted in the Muara Angke Kapuk forest during the last four years.

In 1990 a total of 9,000 mangrove trees were planted. Another 15,000 were planted in 1991, and 50,000 more were planted each year from 1992 into 1994.

The cooperative project involves the environmental issues of controlling the quality of the air, sea water and coastal eco- systems in the capital. Rapid development has resulted in extensive environmental damage throughout the greater Jakarta area. (yns)