Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — The Ministry of Forestry has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring degraded forest ecosystems through a nationwide ecosystem restoration movement launched during the 2026 National Nature Conservation Day (HKAN) at Angke Kapuk Nature Tourism Park in Jakarta. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the initiative aims to accelerate the recovery of degraded ecosystems and habitats across conservation areas in Indonesia.
Raja Juli said the government must move beyond reflecting on the historical degradation of Indonesia’s forests and take concrete steps to restore ecosystems and biodiversity. He said President Prabowo Subianto has supported ecosystem restoration efforts targeting 12 million hectares of degraded land, including 6.7 million hectares within forest areas and 1.21 million hectares in conservation areas.
The minister also emphasized the principle of “ecological before tourism” in managing national parks and other conservation areas. He said tourism activities should prioritize ecological protection and restoration while allowing responsible private-sector participation focused on sustainability. To support restoration on a large scale, the ministry is also exploring innovative financing mechanisms, including blended finance and carbon trading, as well as strengthening the capacity of forest rangers.
The HKAN 2026 event, themed “Working Together to Care for Indonesia’s Nature,” included a video conference with regional technical units, mangrove planting and the release of waterbirds at Angke Kapuk. The location was chosen to highlight how urban development and nature conservation can coexist, with the mangrove ecosystem serving as a coastal barrier, carbon sink, pollution filter and habitat for wildlife. (*)
