LHK Minister Regulation P.23/2019 Solution for Harmonizing Infrastructure Development and Conservation

KABARALAM - The President of the Republic of Indonesia , Joko Widodo had the opportunity to inspect the elephant crossing which is located at KM 12 of the Pekanbaru-Dumai Toll Road, on Thursday, January 5, 2023. On that occasion, President Jokowi appreciated infrastructure development that still pays attention to the environment and ensures the survival of wildlife.

"I continue to remind you of the importance of paying attention to the environment, as we are building the Pekanbaru-Dumai Toll Road for example, there are six tunnels for elephant passage," said President Jokowi.

The President stated that these conservation efforts would also be carried out in other places so that infrastructure development would not disturb the preservation of wild animals. "I think in several places we are building tunnels, passages for these protected animals," said the President.

Indonesian Version: Permen LHK P.23/2019 Solusi Penyelarasan Pembangunan Infrastruktur dan Perlindungan Konservasi

In addition to the Dumai-Pekanbaru section, a tunnel for crossing wildlife is also being built on the Sigli-Banda Aceh (Sibanceh) section, to be precise in Section 1 (Padang Tidji – Seulimeum).

The wildlife tunnel in Sibanceh is divided into three parts. The first part is a crossing with a bridge construction structure for elephants at KM 13+755 to 13+871. The second track uses rectangular precast bone concrete products for reptiles at KM 10+000 to 15+100. While the third is a crossing with the construction of a cable net canopy bridge for primates at KM 11+000 to KM 13+0000.

Meanwhile, Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya said, the principle of environmentally friendly and sustainable development is one of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's (KLHK) answers to concerns about the potential for massive disruption of infrastructure development to ecosystems and the sustainability of flora and fauna.

Read: Begini Tahapan Perencanaan Pembangunan Jalan Strategis di Kawasan Hutan Sesuai Permen LHK P.23/2019

One of the solutions offered by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry is a change in governance paradigm that harmonizes infrastructure development and conservation through mitigation efforts to protect flora and fauna, hydrology and ecosystems as a whole by always applying the principles of environmentally friendly and sustainable development.

As the initiator, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry strives to collaborate with ideas and stakeholders from academics, practitioners, environmentalists to jointly design appropriate mitigation and management in building the balance between road infrastructure and forest area integrity, and being able to provide other secondary benefits.

Thanks to prudence, depth of scrutiny and measurable analysis of each use of forest areas, finally the Minister of Environment and Forestry stipulates Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry No. P.23/Menlhk/Setjen/KUM.1/5/2019 concerning Strategic Roads in Forest Areas.

Read: Pemkab Morowali Utara Kantongi Izin Pembangunan Infrastruktur Strategis di Kawasan Konservasi

The purpose of issuing this regulation is to reduce negative impacts on forest area integrity, space for wildlife to move, decrease in biodiversity, decrease in hydrological functions, and other important ecological functions.

Minister of Environment and Forestry No. P.23/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/5/2019 has been used as a guide in the construction of the Trans Kalimantan national road in Betung Kerihun National Park, Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, Gunung Leuser National Park, green infrastructure studies on World Heritage sites in Sumatra Island, and most recently the Trans Sumatra Toll Road (JTTS) which was worked on by PT Hutama Karya.