The Planting Program in the context of Watershed Rehabilitation is carried out in the Menoreh hills, Special Region of Yogyakarta, an area designated by the Government as a priority tourist destination. PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITM), through its subsidiary, PT Bharinto Ekatama (BEK) is part of this great national work.
The Watershed Rehabilitation Program has been running since 2017. Handing over an area of 14,443 hectares of watershed rehabilitation to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, ITM is a company recording a success in the planting activities. This is one of the biggest achievements nationwide.
The location of the watershed rehabilitation under ITM's responsibility is in Bukit Menoreh area covering several zones of 250 hectares in total.
Applying an empowered-community based agroforestry concept, the watershed rehabilitation incorporates the members of the Forest Farmers Group as the main actors and stakeholders.
A number of forest farmer groups have expressed their enthusiasm and hope for this program. Djumadi, Chairman of the Association of Farmers in Majaksingi Village in Borobudur sub-District, stated that the planting activities backed by ITM are very much awaited by the community.
"For us, this is a fortune that allow us to grow productive plants with good quality," said this retired elementary school teacher.
ITM held meetings with farmer groups in the Village of Giripurwo, Purwosari, Kebonharjo, Ngargosari in Kulon Progo Regency and Village of Majaksingi in Magelang district. These meetings are very important since the Menoreh Watershed Rehabilitation is an effort to improve the function of the forest as a buffer for water and soil security as well as sustainable community life.
Pak Murni, Forestry Field Instructor of Samigaluh sub-District in Kulon Progo Regency, expressed his enthusiasm to assist the community in making this program a success. Riding his dirt bike down a hilly road that sometimes rises steeply, he showed the locations of the planned plantings to be propped up by PT Bharinto Ekatama (BEK).
"We hope that the planting program which is supported by PT Bharinto Ekatama will be continuous and produce a tangible results for the community," he said excitedly.
The commitment to support the program was emphasized by the President Director of ITM, Pak Mulianto during his participation in the Preparation of Menoreh-Borobudur Watershed Rehabilitation on Tuesday, October 12 at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
"We are proud to become part of the national agenda. It also relates with ESG principles (Environment, Social and Governance) that we adopt in the Company practices" said Pak Mulianto.
Furthermore, Pak Mulianto said that this support was the Company’s commitment in executing its vision to become a Company with sustainability as its core.
On that occasion, the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Ibu Siti Nurbaya Bakar, gave her appreciation and encouraged that the program could be realized and produces benefits to soil and water conservation, tourism and importantly the sustainability of people's lives.
The Menoreh-Borobudur Watershed Rehabilitation Program just started its first steps. The journey to realize this concept will continue for the next three to four years. With the energy and enthusiasm shown by the tireless farmer groups and extension officers, we are optimistic that the goal of increasing regional economic productivity and ensuring sustainability for future generations can be realized.
