ULM Receives Commitment Approval Letter, One Step Closer to Managing 611 Ha of Mangrove Land in Kotabaru
Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), through the Berkah Wasaka Mandiri Cooperative, has received the Commitment Approval Letter for Forest Utilization Business Licensing (PBPH) for ±611 Ha of Production Forest in Kotabaru Regency. The letter was issued by the Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board, Bahlil Lahadalia, and was dated August 8, 2024.
Based on administrative and technical verification results, the PBPH application has met the completeness requirements according to the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 8 of 2021. This letter brings ULM one step closer to becoming the world’s only university to own and manage mangrove land.
The total ±611 Ha of mangrove land in Kotabaru Regency is divided into 3 blocks: Block I, covering 366 Ha; Block II, covering 79 Ha; and Block III, covering 166 Ha.
Dr. Eng Maya Amalia, S.T., M.Eng., Head of UPA Wetland Land (LLB) at ULM, along with Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Syarifuddin Kadir, M.Si., stated that ULM is currently working on completing the necessary documents to obtain the mangrove forest management permit.
Looking ahead, Prof. Syarifuddin mentioned that the mangrove forest area will be managed for carbon sequestration and storage, aquaculture, and as a site for recreational or educational tourism.
“Primarily, we will involve relevant faculties to carry out educational activities, research, and community service, which will be coordinated by UPA LLB,” he said.
As the only university with a PBPH for mangrove land, ULM also plans to invite several universities, both within Indonesia and internationally, to engage in educational, research, or community service activities in the area.
“Thank you for the support of all parties, especially university leaders and academics. After approximately one year, we have finally received this commitment approval letter,” said Dr. Maya.
This achievement has also been recognized by the Rector of Lambung Mangkurat University, Prof. Dr. H. Ahmad, S.E., M.Si.
“Alhamdulillah, thank you to all the teams who have worked hard to prepare everything related to ULM’s mangrove forest management. May this strengthen the implementation of ULM’s vision and mission to become a leading university in wetland environmental studies,” he said via WhatsApp.
