Govt taps universities’ support for peatland, mangrove management body

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Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology is preparing support from universities and laboratories across various regions to assist with the proposed establishment of the National Peatland and Mangrove Management Agency (BPGMN).

In a statement issued in Jakarta on Friday, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto said the initiative follows up on directions from President Prabowo Subianto.

The ministry noted that several universities and laboratories across six provinces have relevant experience and capacity in peatland ecosystems, which can be optimized to support peatland and mangrove management based on data, research, and region-specific conditions.

“Indonesian universities and university laboratories across six provinces — especially those with significant and sensitive peatlands — are essentially ready to help,” he said.

According to Yuliarto, universities can support BPGMN’s needs through their research laboratories, as well as through the involvement of faculty members and students who can participate in various activities as required.

He said the support will be tailored to the needs and directions of the Ministry of Forestry, covering studies, research, knowledge development, and human resources deployment.

The minister emphasized that university involvement is necessary to directly connect scientific and technological capabilities with management needs on the ground.

“The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology will subsequently coordinate with the Ministry of Forestry to map out the specific support that universities and laboratories can provide,” he said.

Yuliarto expressed hope that the collaboration would strengthen policies and the implementation of peatland and mangrove management through the utilization of research, data, human resources, and the higher education ecosystem.

Earlier, President Prabowo Subianto approved recommendations from several researchers and experts proposing the establishment of BPGMN, which aims to prevent peatland fires, among other objectives.

The decision was one of the outcomes of his discussion on peatland and mangrove management with researchers and experts from various institutions and universities at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (September 24).