On the morning of Monday, June 23, 2025, a sense of pride and joy filled the Ir. Lukito Daryadi Arboretum. Surrounded by shady trees and enjoying the cool morning air at the Manggala Wanabakti Complex, the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia.
PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITM) officially handed over management of the Mentawir Nursery Center to the government. This significant event was marked by the signing of the Handover document by both parties.
That morning was not just a ceremony; it was a celebration. There was another mission. Introducing ITM to the new Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Anthoni, who took office during President Prabowo Subianto's administration. An arrangement of stories was prepared in a package that attracted the eye and curiosity.
A temporary wall was presented to display information about ITM's profile, the variety of forest ecosystem rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation initiatives undertaken by ITM and its subsidiaries, as well as the track record of the Mentawir Nursery Center. Not to be forgotten, a series of aesthetic camera shots captures moments of flora and fauna in ITM's concession areas.
As if on cue, the Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, who was present with the full assistance of Deputy Minister Sulaiman Umar Siddiq, the Director General of PDASRH who is the main person in charge of the Mentawir Nursery, all directors general in the Ministry of Forestry, as well as representatives of the IKN Authority and the Ministry of Public Works, listened enthusiastically and carefully to the various explanations given by Mr. Mulianto and Mr. Ignatius Wurwanto, accompanied by Mr. Narin Sampattanavorachai, Mr. Isara Pootrakul, and Mr. Yulius Kurniawan Gozali.
"For us, building Mentawir Nursery Center is not just about completing a project. It's about leaving a trail that can be nurtured, and continue to grow for the future," stated Pak Mulianto, in his speech.
From Mandate to A Green Legacy for the Country
What began as a mandate in 2022 has now reached a positive conclusion, symbolizing the collaboration that has created a green legacy for the nation. The 32.5-hectare nursery in the Penajam Paser Utara District of East Kalimantan, designed to produce up to 15 million seedlings per year, is now under state ownership.
“This facility will serve as a primary support for the rehabilitation of forest areas, critical land, and biodiversity preservation—especially in supporting the Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN),” stated Dyah Murtiningsih, the Director General of Watershed Control and Forest Rehabilitation (PDASRH) at the Ministry of Forestry.
"This collaboration is proof that mining and forest conservation are not two different worlds that must go in opposite directions," Minister Raja Juli said in his speech.
"Rather, they can complement each other when guided by strong sustainability principles and a consistent commitment. Mentawir exemplifies this synergy.”
Minister Raja Juli further encouraged other companies in Indonesia to adopt similar initiatives to establish large-scale nurseries, like ITM has done.
In addition, this event marked the launch of a book published in collaboration between ITM and BRIN, titled *Ethnobotany and Post-Mining.* This book documents 25 selected plants and their uses by communities surrounding ITM and BEK concessions. The minister also signed several photographs and the book's cover as a sign of appreciation to ITM and as a memento of this historic moment.
ITM has long prioritized sustainability as a strategic pillar. Through its subsidiary, PT Indominco Mandiri, ITM has developed a 270-hectare arboretum in the post-mining area, which now supports rare Bornean flora and fauna.
The watershed rehabilitation program continues to be implemented. By the first quarter of 2025, ITM plans to return more than 26,800 hectares of rehabilitated watershed land to the Government, spanning from Kutai and Bukit Menoreh-Borobudur to the IKN area.
With the collective effort of dedicated individuals, this national strategic project is set to thrive. The Mentawir Nursery Center is poised to embark on a new journey alongside the nation, marking a fresh start for the seeds that have been planted.
Ultimately, our most significant impact lies in what we leave behind, allowing it to thrive even after we step away.
