SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono revealed that reforestation and animal releases are efforts to maintain the natural ecosystem in Nusantara, East Kalimantan.

“Thus, we can continue to realize the concept of forest city and livable city for our IKN in the future,” Basuki said in Jakarta on Saturday.

The construction of the embung in Nusantara is not only a landscape or aesthetic (beauty) of a modern city, but also an effort to conserve water resources.

The release of birds and fish seeds in the reservoir is expected to maintain the natural ecosystem in Nusantara so that it remains well-maintained.

According to Basuki, the reservoir has a capacity of about 66,000 cubic meters with a depth of 5-6 meters, which serves to collect rainwater in the Government Center Core Area (KIPP).

It is planned to build around 60 reservoirs in KIPP in accordance with President Joko Widodo's direction.

“The construction of these embungs does not dig the ground, but utilizes riparian to accommodate run off (surface water runoff) in accordance with the contours of the land that flows into the embungs,” Basuki said.

MBH reservoirs apply the Smart Water Management System concept in maintaining green open areas through automatic watering (sprinklers) that use sensors that detect water content, temperature, and humidity.

Minister Basuki Hadimuljono guided the visit of First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo and Mrs. Wury Ma'ruf Amin along with members of the Organization for Solidarity Action of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet Era (OASE KIM) to visit the MBH Reservoir in the Government Center Core Area (KIPP) of Nusantara, East Kalimantan.

The activity began with the release of 300 birds consisting of kutilang (pycnonotus aurigaster), tekukur (spilopelia chinensis), terucuk (pycnonotus goiavier), and starlings (acridotheres javanica) and the distribution of 350 red tilapia fish seeds.

On this occasion, Pule (alstonia scholaris) trees were also planted as an effort to support environmental conservation and improve the condition of the Nusantara area ecosystem.