TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono said the regional government would make diverse efforts to improve the capital’s air quality and reduce sources of pollution.

By far, he said that Jakarta has replaced high-polluting buses with environmentally friendly ones, implemented the odd-even traffic policy and parking disincentives for vehicles that fail the emission tests, as well as collected data on urban areas, and expanded Green Open Spaces (RTH).

“The rising air pollution in Jakarta is affected by various emission sources,” Heru Budi said in Central Jakarta, on Friday, August 11, 2023.

These, he outlined, are local sources including transportation and regional sources such as industrial areas located near the capital.

“The Jakarta Provincial Government continues to strive to improve air quality in Jakarta through various programs,” he remarked.

Heru Budi said the city administration is also intensifying tree planting which is executed every Tuesday or Friday. From October 2022 to July 2023, the Jakarta Parks and Urban Forestry Office has planted 10,474 trees and the number will continue to increase.

In addition, the five administrative cities and the Thousand Islands Regency have planted 55,345 trees and productive trees, as well as 203,973 plants, from April to July 2023.

Additionally, Heru who also serves as the Head of Presidential Secretariat said the Parks and Urban Forestry Agency targeted to build 23 new parks in five administrative cities with a total area of 6.7 hectares this year. This is expected to have a long-term positive effect on the capital's air and environment.

“This condition (pollution issues) is a big challenge for us at the Jakarta Provincial Government. Therefore, we continue to improve the existing programs,” Heru Budi said.

MUTIA YUANTISYA

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