Indonesia’s Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat has called for stronger public action to protect the country’s biodiversity, warning that environmental preservation is essential for both nature and human survival.
In a statement confirmed on Saturday, the minister said the International Day for Biological Diversity, observed annually on May 22, serves as a crucial reminder that biodiversity is not only a natural resource but also the main foundation sustaining human life.
Speaking at the 2026 International Day for Biological Diversity commemoration in Depok on Friday, Hidayat said Indonesia is among the world’s richest nations in biodiversity and ranks second only to Brazil.
He said Indonesia’s vast ecological wealth is supported by diverse ecosystems including tropical rainforests, peatlands, mangroves and coral reefs, all of which function as critical life support systems for the country’s population.
The minister warned that the country’s biodiversity is facing growing pressure from land-use changes, pollution, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources and the spread of invasive alien species.
He stressed that biodiversity conservation must remain a priority in national development efforts.
According to Hidayat, key measures should include strengthening protected areas, rehabilitating degraded land, controlling pollution and safeguarding indigenous peoples and local communities who serve as the main protectors of ecosystems.
The event also highlighted Indonesia’s commitment ahead of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, known as COP17 CBD, scheduled for October 2026.
It further underscored the country’s readiness to enhance conservation efforts through the implementation of the 2025-2045 Indonesia Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
This news is published from The Antara news.
