After NTT Earthquake, Prabowo Targets Reforestation Within 10 Years

President Prabowo Subianto has targeted barren areas in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to become green again within approximately 10 years through a reforestation programme involving regional governments, universities, and research institutions. The President conveyed this while chairing a coordination meeting on post-earthquake handling in NTT at the evacuation post of the 834/Wakanga Mere Territorial Development Battalion Headquarters, Tonggurambang Village, Mbay, Nagekeo Regency, on Wednesday (26/8).

Prabowo said the reduction in tree cover is one of the environmental problems that needs to be addressed in NTT. “The problem here is that many trees have been lost. So our people must be educated; land clearing must not be done by burning,” the President said, as monitored through the Presidential Secretariat broadcast.

According to the President, the reforestation of NTT needs to be carried out in a planned manner involving the provincial government, regencies, the central government, and universities. “The province, then the regencies, will later be assisted by the central government, assisted by universities, coordinated by the Directorate General of Higher Education and BRIN; they must have a team,” he said.

The team, Prabowo said, can involve elements of regional government and universities, including polytechnics, which receive training to accelerate the reforestation programme.

The President said the government had previously formed a team involving the Defence University, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to study methods for accelerating reforestation in several countries.

As part of the programme, Prabowo requested the construction of nurseries at the provincial level and in every regency to produce tree seedlings and productive plants. “All open land we will plant with productive trees and trees to secure water,” he said.

The President also encouraged the application of permaculture concepts in mountainous areas and regions experiencing environmental damage. According to him, applying this method takes time but can help improve the soil’s ability to store water.

“If done carefully, within four, five, six years it can hold and increase water in the ground,” he said.

Prabowo is optimistic that through these various efforts, barren areas in NTT can become green again within a period of about 10 years. He also requested that the reforestation movement be accompanied by environmental education from an early age so that the younger generation understands the importance of preserving trees and not clearing land by burning.