Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on realizing independent and sustainable villages.
The MoU was inked by Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq and Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Minister Yandri Susanto in Jakarta on Monday.
Under the MoU, the two ministries synergize with a focus on village development programs and environmental protection and management policies.
One strategic step is strengthening village economic institutions or village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) by implementing the circular economy concept and the Climate Village Program (Proklim).
Through this collaboration, the two ministries aim to increase awareness and skills of village communities in sustainable environmental management.
Implementing educational programs that engage village communities is expected to cultivate a culture of caring for the environment from an early age, ensuring that villages develop economically while maintaining nature conservation.
One application of the MoU is the Waste-Free Village Action, which commenced on Saturday (February 15) in Malaka Village, North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, involving seven other villages.
Through the action, the government aims to significantly reduce the volume of waste in landfills, enhance people's awareness of the need to sort and manage waste, and implement a circular economy by using waste as new resources.
In a statement on Saturday, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Rosa Vivien Ratnawati expressed optimism that if the program is implemented across Indonesia, a healthier country can be realized.
