Batam - Batam Concession Agency (BP Batam), through the SPAM business entity, received a guest from Japan who symbolically handed over Dipterocarpaceae plants to the Sei Ladi protected forest accompanied by planting tree seedlings that have become rare in Indonesia.

Shigehiro Taniguchi, Advisor of Higashiyama Botanical Garden, came with Akihiko Nagata, Chairman of Toyoake Kaki Co.Ltd; and Shuici Kakizawa, Former Local Civil Servant. They said Sei Ladi Urban Forest is Batam's best quality dipterone forest. 

"This is a very, very good place. We certainly intend to return to Batam and plant trees again," said Akihiko Nagata representing the group.

Meanwhile, Assistant Manager of DTA Sub Division, reservoirs, and dams, May Robi Firnanda said that the handover of tree seedlings is an effort by Japan to preserve the sustainability of the Dipterocarpaceae tribe, as well as BP Batam's conservation efforts in the sanitation of the Water Catchment Area (DTA) in protected forest areas in Batam.

"Because their land is inadequate or limited, they decided to give these tree seeds to Batam, Indonesia. The plant is endemic native to Indonesia but already rare in our country. And we are trying to be a pioneer to re-cultivate it in Sei Ladi Forest." Robi said.

Roby said that Sei Ladi Forest was chosen because it is the best quality diptero forest in Batam.

When asked about the benefits of this tree in Sei Ladi Urban Forest for the DTA environment, May Robi said that the Diptero tree would make the DTA (Water Catchment Area) a healthy forest. 

Meanwhile, on another occasion, the Head of BP Batam, Muhammad Rudi, said that rainwater reservoirs in Batam are very important and crucial for the community's survival.

"We know reservoirs are very important, so efforts we must have to rehabilitate this reservoir. My team, who has 20 years of experience in handling DTA, is trying to work with Japan, who are experts in the botanical field, and bring their company too," said Rudi.