Pekanbaru, Riau, March 5 (Antarariau.com) - Of the total five million hectares of peat-land area in Riau province, some three million hectares have been damaged, according to the Peat Restoration Agency (BRG).
"Riau has a total of five million hectares of peat but around three million hectares have been damaged," BRG Deputy of Research and Development Haris Gunawan told Antara here on Monday.
He explained that the three million hectares of peat-land that fall into the damaged category require improved water governance. Of the three million hectares, 900 thousand hectares are in the BRG priority for repair.
However, he said efforts to repair or restore the peat with BRG's 3R mainstay scheme will be done in stages. For 2017, BRG claimed to have healthy 30,000 hectares of damaged peat.
While this 2018, the target increased to 140,000 hectares covering six peat forest area (KHG). In order to realize the target, he said BRG will disburse a budget of Rp49 billion.
"The budget of Rp49 billion will be used next year in five KHG priorities, namely Meranti, Rokan Hilir, Indragiri Hilir, Kampar and Bengkalis," he explained.
BRG's 3R flagship scheme in restoring peat is Rewetting, Revegetation and Revitalization of local community livelihoods.
Peat wetting is done through the development of peat wetting infrastructure such as canal blocking, canal back-filling, and deep wells. While peat re-vegetation is carried out through active intervention such as making nurseries, seeding and planting; as well as non-active interventions such as promoting natural regeneration and the promotion of seeds dispersal mechanisms.
Meanwhile, livelihoods revitalization activities are implemented by developing alternative and sustainable land-based, water-based, and environment-based livelihoods activities.
Until the first two months of February 2018 land fires in Riau reached more than 750 hectares in 11 districts and cities. Meranti area is the worst fire area reaching more than 230 hectares.
3 Million Hectares of Riau Peatland Has Been Damaged
