Pangkalpinang (ANTARA) - The Provincial Government of the Bangka Belitung Islands held the Declaration of the Greening Movement in the Province of the Bangka Belitung Islands 'Green Blue Babelku' by planting trees in the Integrated Service Center Building Area (PLUT) for Cooperatives for Micro and Small Business (KUMK) of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Monday (6/20/ 2022).
The launching activity, which was initiated by the Acting Governor of Bangka Belitung Ridwan Djamaluddin, was also attended by the Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani and the Head of the Region in Babel.
In this declaration, his party planted sea pine and ketapang in an area of 0.5 hectares. Where the planting location is not far from Depati Amir Pangkalpinang Airport, previously this area was an illegal tin mining area.
The Acting Governor of Babel, Ridwan Djamaluddin, said that the reforestation program in Bangka Belitung is indeed not an easy job, requires a joint effort and takes a long time. This is due to massive illegal tin mining activities.
"This industry (mining) is often given a bad image due to massive environmental damage. For this reason, we are fully aware of utilizing the potential of existing natural resources but still protecting the environment for the benefit of it," he said in his remarks.
He said that Bangka Belitung has a land area of 16,424.06 km, of which 57.2 percent of this area is a mining business permit. With a tin metal mineral content of 55.53 percent.
"Most of the land area in this province is used for metal mineral mining. What we see is only half a hectare of 60,400 hectares of land opening due to illegal mining. Of the total IUP area of 288 hectares. This means that close to 21 percent of land clearing due to illegal mining," he said.
For this reason, he said, his party will cooperate with various parties to reforest the land openings due to illegal mining activities.
Steps taken to stop illegal mining include the establishment of our task force for handling illegal tin mines. Where the executor his party appointed a tin business entity in the hope of being more fluent and familiar with the field so that the handling is more effective. Meanwhile, the government continues to carry out control and evaluation.
"This activity will be carried out continuously. We will take care of what we plant for three months and we will do this massively throughout the Bangka Belitung area. We also involve business entities, there are forest concession associations that want to turn them into energy plantations, Planting later one day can be a raw material for biomass energy," he said.
He is grateful that the current public awareness to care about the environment. In the future, it will continue to provide training for the mining community.
"Alhamdulillah, public awareness is starting to grow, we will continue to foster small mining entrepreneurs. We will provide technical guidance so that these small-scale mining companies can easily take care of their permits. We do not want to close the opportunity for the community to participate and do business, but we are directed to keep having permits so that the share of the state is not lost and there are those who are responsible for environmental aspects," he continued.
Not only on land, this reforestation activity will also be carried out at sea by planting mangroves.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, appreciated the movement made to make Babylon blue and green. He admitted, he was quite surprised to see the many pits of former tin mines in the City Center.
"When I was on the plane, it was bad, there was a hole. I was surprised that it was near the city near the air port but the situation was serious. Usually this mine is on the edge. So this is how rich the island of Bangka is," he said.
He admits that environmental problems have a significant impact not only on the economy but also on health. To deal with this requires a shared commitment and a lot of time.
"Don't just throw away trash, don't just take advantage of natural resources but forget to improve nature. Moreover, 50 percent of the mining area and 21 percent are illegal," he said.
According to him, this requires education and a shared commitment and mutual cooperation to save the future of Babylon. Where natural resources are used for the benefit of the people of the nation and state.
"I appreciate the PJ Governor of Babel with the reforestation movement in Babylon. The government must be able to intervene directly. This is a serious problem that cannot be solved. The regional government must be supported by the central government. This should not be like the festive fireworks at the beginning, then there are no more," he said.
