BP Batam restores former illegal sand mining land in airport area

Batam (ANTARA) - The Batam Development Agency (BP Batam) in the Riau Islands (Kepri) is currently undertaking environmental restoration in areas of former illegal sand mining sites, particularly in the Flight Operations Safety Zone (KKOP) of Hang Nadim International Airport. Member/Deputy for General Services of BP Batam, Ariastuty Sirait, stated that BP Batam teams are closing several pits from former excavations, which are in a very concerning condition. The estimated total area of abandoned mining activities requiring restoration is 100,000 square metres, with a volume of 347,000 cubic metres. “The process of closing the former excavation sites is ongoing. Progress to date has reached 30 percent, and reforestation will be carried out moving forward,” she said in an official statement received in Batam on Monday. Through this special attention, it is hoped that the environmental conditions, which have been exploited, can be restored and operational aviation safety improved. Ariastuty emphasised that the KKOP is a vital object in supporting logistics and people connectivity, as well as being an important contribution to economic growth in Batam. Therefore, securing the KKOP area is crucial to ensure flight safety while protecting state assets from potential disruptions. “This KKOP area must continue to be guarded together moving forward. No activities of any kind are allowed there. Anyone who disrupts flight operations will be dealt with firmly in accordance with applicable regulations,” she said. For information, the illegal sand mining sites were discovered last April, when Deputy BP Batam Li Claudia Chandra and her team descended to crack down on the illegal activities. She added that, in addition to the ongoing restoration, coordination across sectors and the formation of a Task Force (Satgas) for Securing the Flight Operations Safety Zone (KKOP) at Hang Nadim Airport have also been carried out. “Supervision in the KKOP area will continue to be enhanced, including through routine patrols by an integrated team consisting of TNI, Polri, Ditpam BP Batam, and Satpol PP Kota Batam elements,” she concluded.