Jakarta (Greeners) – President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo launched National Movement on Plants and Animals Conservation as the country’s commitment to conserve biodiversity.
President Jokowi said that the national movement was concrete step to develop knowledge and environment protection for the whole ecosystem and not merely planting trees.
“Two important things this movement need to pass on are knowledge and environment protection. Indonesia is known for its richness on biodiversity, world’s lung, and the future of the nature relies on the country’s protection for the environment,” said Jokowi in Karya island of Thousand Islands in Jakarta, on Thursday (14/4).
Meanwhile, Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya said that the national movement was part of National Forest Day and Forester Day. Forest, she added, was part of people’s daily lives.
“Forest sustainability with its biodiversity and control climate change then becomes important to conserve,” she said adding Karya Island was chosen as the host for the launch due to its location, tourism potential and its biodiversity.
Karya Island, which covers six hectares, is part of Thousand Islands which has potentials to be developed.
“Karya Island is an unique tourism destination of Thousand Islands. We are developing national parks which could also serve to increase people’s welfare,” she said.
The launch was also attended by Deputy Governor DKI Jakarta Djarot Saiful Hidayat, eight ambassadors, 17 international partners, and other invitations.
The event also saw the release of four adult turtles and 200 young turtles, four bald eagles which are Jakarta’s city icon, and 250 birds in the island.
The release was also held by the ministry’s natural and ecosystem technical units in other regions. The national movement would not only be focusing on birds but other endangered species.
Up to date, the national movement had released 1,478 animals, — 159 turtles, 500 young turtles, two lizzards, six honey bears, 9 civets, and five orangutans which all have passed health inspection in accordance to the procedure.
Reports by Danny Kosasih
20 Apr 2024 
