Sumber, W. Java (ANTARA News) - The Cirebon district administration is to rehabilitate 200 hectares of community forest area and green 175 hectares of open space in 2011, a local official said here Tuesday.

"This year we are going to rehabilitate 200 hectares of community forest area and 175 hectares of open land lots," head of forest and land rehabilitation unit of Cirebon district`s agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry office, Dirman said.

He said the rehabilitation of community forests is to add to the existing tree population in forests owned by the people, while the open spaces to be greened would be roadsides, river banks as well as at public facilities.

For the greening the office will prepare 275 thousand seedlings including jati/teak (Tectona grandis), albazia, mahogany and jabon (Antocephalus codambaa) tress.

Especially for jabon tree, is now being a favorite, the quality is almost the same as teak but is still underneath.

In addition, the office will prepare 5,000 mango trees and 10 thousand petai (Parkia speciosa) tree.

Two special types of plants are for greening the environment, Dirman noted.

"For the environment greening the trees planted is productive trees, besides in order to shade and land reinforcement, the fruit can be used," he added.

The reforestation activity is currently under preparation and it is expected that in June is a period of seedling nursery. .
"Usually between the nursery to the planting period takes between four to six months, so the planting is expected in November or December 2011," Dirman explained.

The areas which will be greened are spread across 20 sub districts of 40 districts in which it has degraded land.

Dirman noted, the percentage forest area in the district was about 20 percent, while the recommended nationally about 30 percent.

(SYS/A/KR-LWA/F001)

Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011