VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Three Indonesian provinces are ready to serve as national models for low-carbon development through the implementation of the International Climate Initiative-Peat and Mangrove Ecosystems (IKI-PME) project, the National Development Planning (PPN) Ministry has said.

The provinces are North Sumatra, West Papua, and Southwest Papua, Director for Forestry and Water Resources at the PPN Ministry Nur Hygiawati Rahayu said here on Tuesday.

"The IKI-PME project supports the government's agenda and achievements on low carbon development, climate resilience development, and sustainable development goals (SDGs), she said.

According to the Environment and Forestry Ministry, North Sumatra has around 38,205 hectares of mangroves and 526,701 hectares of peat.

Meanwhile, West Papua and Southwest Papua have 957,826 hectares of peat; 9,120 hectares of mangroves; as well as 332,407 hectares of peat associated with mangroves.

The implementation of the IKI-PME project has supported the effective management, better preservation, and sustainable use of 742,234 hectares of peat and mangrove ecosystems.

The project helped to strengthen the regional government’s policy in the West Papua Provincial Forestry Plan as well as carry out patrol activities using Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tools (SMART).

It also completed the peat restoration program in South Tapanuli District, North Sumatra Province.

In addition, IKI-PME Project trained the community living around mangrove and peat ecosystems in repairing and maintaining ketinting – a long traditional boat – engines and fishing nets, as well as identifying and monitoring potential natural resources.

It also trained the people in carrying out product diversification through fish and duck farming as well as making citronella oil and compost.

"We hope that the success of the IKI-PME project (in the three provinces) can later be emulated by other provinces and contribute to the Indonesian government's climate change mitigation and adaptation attempts," Rahayu said.

The project was led by Konservasi Indonesia, a sustainable development and environmental conservation organization, in collaboration with Wetlands International Indonesia (YLBA) as well as the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).

Senior Vice President and Executive Chair of Konservasi Indonesia Meizani Irmadhiany said her party had also established strategic coordination with PPN Ministry to draft the national strategy document on peat and mangrove ecosystems launched in February 2023.

Meanwhile, Program Coordinator for Wetlands Restoration and Community Development at the YLBA Eko Budi Priyanto said that the IKI-PME project had also involved collaboration with the local community in implementing paludiculture -- the use of peatland for agriculture – on a 200-hectare area.  (Antaranews)