Muara Angke Park to get mangroves

JAKARTA: A non-governmental organization, the Mangrove Development and Analysis Institute (LPP Mangrove), said on Thursday it would plant 3,000 mangrove seeds in Muara Angke Wildlife Park starting on Feb. 15.

Nyoto Santoso of LPP Mangrove said the project, which will commemorate International Wetland Day on Feb. 2, was part of efforts to rehabilitate the park.

"The rehabilitation is also important to minimize seawater intrusion, because mangroves can absorb seawater and preventing the water from reaching the land," he said.

He added that some 7,000 mangrove seeds were planted last year.

He said the central government, the Jakarta administration and a number of private companies were assisting LPP Mangrove in the project.

Jakarta Vice Governor Fauzi Bowo is expected to attend the ceremony to plant the mangrove seeds, which cost approximately Rp 60 million (US$6,600) in total. --JP