JAKARTA, JAKTIMES.COM – In an effort to improve air quality, the Jakarta Provincial Government, in collaboration with the private sector, namely Maybank, planted a thousand Ketapang Kencana trees along a 4.2-kilometer stretch under the Becakayu Toll Road in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, on Saturday (19/8). Ketapang Kencana is one of the trees that can help absorb pollutants in the air.
The event was attended by the Acting Governor of Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono, the Head of the Jakarta City Park and Forest Office Bayu Meghantara, the Head of the Jakarta City Environment Agency Asep Kuswanto, the Head of the Jakarta City Food Security, Maritime Affairs, and Agriculture Agency Suharini Eliawati, as well as the East Jakarta City Mayor M. Anwar.
During the occasion, Acting Governor Heru appreciated the private sector for collaborating with the Jakarta Provincial Government in preventing impacts and improving air quality. “We express our gratitude to the private sector, Maybank, for willing to collaborate with us. Previously, Antam also participated in tree planting,” said Heru as quoted by The Jakarta Times (Jaktimes.com).
Heru also revealed that the Jakarta Provincial Government has been consistent in planting trees to greenify Jakarta. As of July 2023, a total of 25,000 three-meter-tall trees, such as Ketapang Cendana and Tabebuya, have been planted. “Jakarta has also added around 800 more green open spaces. So, the first phase includes 256 points in each neighborhood, and this will continue,” he stated.
Heru called on all stakeholders in Jakarta to join in promoting the movement to improve air quality. This is because controlling air quality requires massive collaboration. Therefore, he encouraged all layers of society to participate.
“In this matter, we need significant collaboration so that maintaining air quality in Jakarta becomes our collective responsibility. Especially in the Becakayu Toll Road area, greening efforts have been carried out along a 5.2-kilometer stretch, and this will continue. Therefore, it can be calculated that we have contributed positively to lowering the temperature. Because we have planted many trees here,” he explained.
In addition to planting trees to absorb pollution, productive plants like spinach, water spinach, chili, and mustard greens have also been planted in the area under the Becakayu Toll Road. Through greening, every three meters of this area can also reduce the temperature by at least two degrees.
“So, if we look over there, there’s water spinach, mustard greens, chili, and so on. Besides planting for greening purposes, this is also beneficial for food security. It can also be utilized by the local residents,” he concluded (Wan)
