MAGIC GRASS FOR SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION IN PERUM PERHUTANI KPH KENDAL

MAGIC GRASS FOR SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION IN PERUM PERHUTANI KPH KENDAL
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Exposed soil and cultivated land in riparian zones are important environment concerns in Perum Perhutani. Land tillage (or cultivation) is inappropriate by conservation rules and bare land increases erosion which can decrease river quality. Perum Perhutani has committed to overcome these problems in 2007 by conducting rehabilitation in riparian zones.

Unfortunately, the rehabilitation program in 2005-2006 was not effective in minimizing soil erosion and sedimentation. Despite restoration efforts, a physical monitoring report showed the quality of river water in the year 2005-2006 continued to decline. From this experience and others we have learned that young plantations (tree species) do not always contribute to controlling soil erosion and sedimentation. Therefore, a new system or added technique is needed to cope with the problem efficiently and safely for the environment.

TFT - Java Plantation Team have introduced a soil and water conservation technology based on bioengineering. The technology is called the Vetiver System. Vetiver grass, Vetiveria zizanioides has proven useful in many countries, and can be used for degraded land rehabilitation, infrastructure stabilization, steep slope protection, flood control, mine and quarry rehabilitation, river banks protection and riparian zone rehabilitation. This grass can live in temperature -12°C - >55°C, soil pH <3 - >10, annual rainfall    300 mm - 5000 mm, and also shows high tolerance towards fire, saline soils and heavy metal. Most importantly, the species is not competitive and is non invasive so it will not interfere significantly with other species.  Vetiver grass is a native species in Java and Bali.

KPH Ciamis was the first management unit in Perhutani to introduce the Vetiver System in 2006.  They have also developed nursery for the propagation. KPH Kendal and KPH Kebonharjo introduced this method in 2007.

A large area of riparian zone in KPH Kendal is cultivated by farmers for agriculture, due to land shortage and the fertile qualities of the land. KPH Kendal needs to control land tillage by acknowledging the social aspects but without ignoring the environment aspects. The Vetiver System may help provide solutions to balancing multiple land uses and minimizing environmental impact. 

The first trial of Vetiver planting in KPH Kendal was carried out in riparian zone compartment 84 b ( 2 hectares) in RPH Ngareanak, BKPH Boja and in compartment 56 a, 56 d and 57 (7.8 hectares)  in RPH Trayu, BKPH Boja. The pictures show planted Vetiver amongst other crops in riparian zones.

Strip of Vetiver grass amongst Maize crops.

Comments

At 17:38 on 21st August 2008 Melat Debebe wrote:
my comment is positive. I mean it is god to conserve soil with magic grass.
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At 17:43 on 21st August 2008 Silvia wrote:
Hello, can anybody tell me if it is possible to buy vetiver plants on Bali? Is there any nursery yet? If not what would be the closest place to get it? Thanks in advance, kind regards from North Bali, Silvia.
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At 15:28 on 27th June 2008 Tutto Bello wrote:
Hello! Can you help us to find the e-mail address of Perum Perhutani? Pls send it to our e-mail address. Best regards
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At 12:40 on 27th June 2008 Dick Grimshaw wrote:
Nice to see that you are using the Vetiver System. From your photos it looks as though you are planting the vetiver too far apart in two rows. Best is one row, on the contour , with plant 15 cm apart. No problem on survival - it does well in maize. Post more photos as vetiver grows please Dick Grimshaw The Vetiver Network International
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At 09:09 on 13th May 2008 Julia Hardin wrote:
Thanks, Bastien. Vetiver grass will grow even they were covered by maize, but the growth is not better than in opened area.
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At 09:09 on 13th May 2008 Julia Hardin wrote:
Well, it's a good news Wahyu. We all hope that Kendal can get the certificate
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At 09:10 on 13th May 2008 Julia Hardin wrote:
Well, that's a good news. We all hope that Kendal will get the certificate.
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At 12:56 on 26th February 2008 wahyu sejati wrote:
KPH Kendal may be can get certification. but we know many thing that have to built. Management in KPH kendal is the best. Yesterday I saw compartment in 107 RPH jatisari Utara BKPH Subah. In this place I found many mangrove tress. God Luck for KPH Kendal. Jayalah Hutan Indonesia
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At 13:39 on 14th February 2008 Bastien SACHET wrote:
Very interesting article about the use of Vetiver grass. Does it survive well once maize crops are taller and block the sunlight access to the grass?
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At 13:39 on 14th February 2008 Bastien SACHET wrote:
Very interesting article about the use of Vetiver grass. Does it survive well once maize crops are taller and block the sunlight access to the grass?
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