UGM is collaborating with Peat Land Restoration Agency (BRG). The form of collaboration is signed by Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati M.Sc., Ph.D., and the Head of BRG, Nazir Fuad, at the Leaders Conference Room UGM, Friday (27/5).
According to Nazir, the role of UGM to help the restoration has started since last year. There have been many concepts being made by experts from UGM who help restore peatlands.
“By doing research and monitoring, UGM has helped our taskforce be more effective,” Nazir said.
He added that the destruction of peatlands has reached 2,6 million hectare out of 15 millions hectare in Indonesia. The destroyed area are spread in Sumatera, Borneo and Papua. Some steps have been taken by BRG to cover the problem by conducting ecological restoration, hidrology and revegetation.
“The substitution plants are sago, gonystylus bancanus, Dyera costulata, and other plants,” he said.
Meanwhile, as a prevention programme, BRG has closed waterways and built artesian wells.
In the same place, Rector Prof. Karnawati, appreciates the steps that BRG has taken to solve the forest fire. Rector explained that UGM’s role related to the research on peatlands had been done since ten to twenty years ago. “Beside research community, we also involve students who are completing their community service programme (to help tackle forest fires),” she said.
The collaboration between UGM and BRG covers the provision of education and training, socialization, advocacy regarding peatlands restoration, and research and community service through the application of knowledge and land mapping survey technology.