12 hours ago
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January 30, 2025 | 01:37 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, stated that an investigation will soon be conducted into the environmental damage in Hampalit Village, Katingan Hilir District, Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan Province.
"We will soon conduct an investigation and take law enforcement measures. From satellite imagery, the environmental damage in the Katingan area continues to increase every year, reaching nearly 41 thousand hectares," said Hanif Faisol in a written statement on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
On January 28, 2025, Hanif visited the location of Desertification and Small-Scale Gold Mining (PESK) in the Katingan area, Central Kalimantan.
Hanif stated that he would coordinate more intensively with the Minister of Forestry, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, the National Police Chief, the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the Governor of Central Kalimantan, and the Regent of Katingan to address the issue of environmental damage in Katingan.
Hanif highlighted two main issues in Katingan: the difficult restoration of peat ecosystems after damage and the use of mercury in mining activities. "This mercury is very dangerous. It should not enter the body at all because the impact is significant for health," he said.
Hanif will summon those responsible for this environmental damage. In addition, communication with concession holders will also be conducted soon. "I see that there are several sites that are late in managing concessions. We must immediately stop this environmental destruction. If not, the damage could spread massively," he said.
According to Hanif, the environmental damage in Katingan is equivalent to an area nearly the size of Jakarta. Those who damage the environment must immediately restore it. "Anyone who causes damage must restore it. The steps will be determined soon after further investigation. In essence, these activities must be stopped immediately, and monitoring and handling must be carried out comprehensively," he added.
IRSYAN HASYIM | ABDUL MANAN
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