Jakarta to open new parks to improve air quality

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The Acting Governor of Jakarta, Heru Budi Hartono, announced on Friday that his administration plans to open 23 new parks as an effort to improve the air quality in the capital city.

“The DKI Jakarta Parks and City Forest Service has allocated a budget to open 23 new parks in five administrative city areas with a combined area of 6.7 hectares,” he informed.

These parks are expected to have a long-term positive effect on the air and environmental conditions in the city, he stated.

Hartono explained that the increase in air pollution in Jakarta has been caused by emissions (combustion residues) from local sources, such as transportation and residential areas, as well as regional sources, such as industrial areas located near Jakarta.

“Apart from opening more parks, I have also urged relevant parties to replace buses with more environmentally friendly options, including electric buses,” he added.

The Jakarta government is also implementing the odd-even license plate policy for four-wheeled vehicles, a disincentive policy on parking rates for vehicles that do not pass emission tests, regional data collection, and the expansion and optimization of Green Open Spaces (RTH), he said.

“We are also intensifying tree planting on Tuesdays and Fridays,” Hartono said, mentioning that Jakarta has planted 10,474 trees in the last 10 months.

Additionally, Five Administrative City Regions and the Seribu Islands District have planted 55,345 trees from April to July 2023, he added.

“This (pollution) is a significant challenge for the provincial government,” he said, urging Jakarta residents to help improve air quality by using public transportation.

He stated that the plan to improve air quality in Jakarta is a long-term endeavor and will need continuous monitoring. To ensure its success, synergy is needed with the regional governments of surrounding areas: Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi.