By: Farhan Zhafran )*
The development of the National Capital City (IKN) in East Kalimantan is one of the strategic projects of President Joko Widodo’s government. IKN is designed as an innovative, green and modern city of the future, becoming a symbol of Indonesia’s progress in sustainable infrastructure development.
Jokowi’s move to move the capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan was driven by the need to overcome various problems facing Jakarta, such as population density and land subsidence. IKN is expected to be able to distribute economic and government centers more evenly outside Java.
IKN’s future city design emphasizes the concept of a green city with the use of renewable energy. Jokowi ensured that IKN would use advanced and environmentally friendly technology, making this city a pioneer in the use of sustainable energy in Southeast Asia.
Apart from that, by bringing back tropical forests in the midst of the modernization of the capital city, Wanagama Nusantara is a symbol of Indonesia’s commitment to preserving nature and sustainability. Green facilities at IKN increased again when President Joko Widodo inaugurated the Wanagama Nusantara area which is in the Jungle Zone of City B, Central Government Core Area (KIPP), IKN, on Friday, September 13 2024.
This launch is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen environmental sustainability and sustainable education at IKN. The Chancellor of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Professor Ova Emilia, explained that Wanagama Nusantara is part of a large forest management and restoration strategy being implemented in Kalimantan. This forest is designed as a center for education and research related to sustainability and climate change. It is hoped that Wanagama Nusantara can replicate Wanagama’s success in Yogyakarta in terms of forest restoration and reforestation, especially in Kalimantan.
President Jokowi also witnessed the signing of the collaboration between the Acting Head of the Archipelago Capital Authority (OIKN), Basuki Hadimuljono, and Gadjah Mada University, represented by the Chancellor of UGM, Professor Ova. This collaboration aims to build a sustainable environmental ecosystem in the Wanagama Nusantara area, which takes inspiration from the Wanagama UGM concept in Yogyakarta.
After signing the cooperation agreement, President Jokowi and his entourage planted Tengkawang (Shorea pinanga) trees around the Wanagama Nusantara IKN area as a symbol of support for forest restoration efforts in Kalimantan. This planting emphasizes the government’s commitment to preserving the environment in IKN.
Wanagama Nusantara, which was initiated by UGM, is a form of commitment to support the development of IKN as a smart forest city. This forest area, located in KIPP IKN, East Kalimantan, covers an area of 621 hectares. UGM hopes that the presence of Wanagama Nusantara can support IKN’s vision as a Forest City, which is one of President Joko Widodo’s main priorities as mandated in Article 22 of Law Number 3 of 2022 concerning the National Capital.
The existence of Wanagama Nusantara is also part of UGM’s commitment to support the development of IKN as a sustainable city. With main programs such as developing educational forest zoning, restoration, reforestation and additional planting, it is hoped that Wanagama Nusantara can become a window to the tropical world.
As an educational and research forest, the Wanagama Nusantara Forest is integrated with various scientific disciplines and faculties at UGM. This area is expected to become a model for tropical rainforest restoration in managing hydrology and microclimate in IKN as well as preserving native tropical rainforest plant species that are threatened with extinction.
Wanagama Nusantara replicated UGM’s success in rehabilitating critical land through the Wanagama Education Forest in Gunungkidul, Special Region of Yogyakarta. The Wanagama Forest in Gunungkidul was first initiated in 1963 by figures from the UGM Faculty of Forestry, with the aim of providing an example of rehabilitation of critical land from an ecological and socio-economic perspective.
As a means of developing several science clusters that support the IKN ecosystem, UGM is also planning the establishment of the Institute for Future Life as an educational and research facility with a smart and green building concept in Wanagama Nusantara. This institute is expected to become a center for sustainable educational innovation.
Director of Forestry and Water Resources Utilization Development, Archipelago Capital Authority (OIKN), Pungky Widia Rianto, explained that the Wanagama Nusantara Forest has an area of 621 hectares, with an initial development stage of 28 hectares. In further development, expansion will be carried out based on zoning, starting from tropical forest zones, energy forests, pharmaceutical forests, to forests for ecotourism.
This forest will not only be used by researchers and students, but will also be a place of learning for the general public and students at all levels of education. It is hoped that Wanagama Nusantara can become an important symbol for conservation and education efforts amidst the development of the modernization of the Indonesian capital.
The IKN project has received support from various parties, including national and international investors. Actively promoting IKN in various global forums, emphasizing that the development of this city will be an example for other countries in terms of smart and sustainable city development.
With a big vision and strong commitment, President Jokowi is trying to realize IKN as a symbol of Indonesia’s transformation towards a new era. It is hoped that this city of the future will not only become the center of government, but also become an example of successful sustainable development at the global level.
)* The author is a student living in Bandung
