MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The North Sumatra Provincial Government plans to establish a 14-hectare biodiversity park, known locally as Taman Keanekaragaman Hayati or Taman Kehati, in Kwala Bekala, Deli Serdang Regency. The conservation area, which will be developed outside designated forest areas, is intended to create a new ecosystem that preserves North Sumatra's endemic plant species, supports wildlife habitats and contributes to ecological balance.
The development of the biodiversity park forms part of the province's strategic regional programmes. The project will use land owned by the University of North Sumatra (Universitas Sumatera Utara, USU) in Durin Tunggal Village, Pancurbatu District. The site is located within the university's Faculty of Forestry area in Kwala Bekala. The North Sumatra Provincial Government aims to complete the infrastructure works and planting programme by 2029.
Ari Harahap, Secretary of the North Sumatra Environmental and Forestry Agency, presented the plans at a press conference on Friday, 16 October 2026. The event was organised by the North Sumatra Communication and Informatics Agency in the lobby of the Regional National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) building at the provincial governor's office.
"This is a strategic regional programme. The park will cover 14 hectares and is expected to develop into a new ecosystem," Ari said.
According to Ari, using university-owned land will enable the regional government to establish the conservation area without having to spend money acquiring additional land. The provincial government and USU have already agreed to work together to support the implementation of the project.
Provincial Government and USU Join Forces
Ari explained that the provincial government had signed a cooperation agreement with USU several months ago. The agreement provides the basis for both parties to prepare the use of the land for the construction of the Kwala Bekala Biodiversity Park.
"We have already worked with USU on this programme and signed a cooperation agreement several months ago," Ari said.
The regional government plans to transfer the land for use by the North Sumatra Provincial Government through a temporary grant of usage rights or a donation. The process of transferring the asset is still under way and forms part of the preparatory work for establishing the conservation area.
According to Ari, the site has already been selected. However, several technical and administrative requirements must still be completed before construction can begin.
"The site has now been determined, and the process of applying for the asset transfer is under way. The next steps include an Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL), the selection of species, the preparation of a Detailed Engineering Design (DED), and applications for the necessary permits from the Ministry of Environment," Ari said.
These steps include preparing the Environmental Impact Assessment documentation, selecting the plant and animal species to be accommodated within the area, drawing up the Detailed Engineering Design, and securing the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Environment. The procedures are intended to ensure that the development complies with applicable environmental regulations and takes into account the requirements for the site's future management.
Using land owned by a higher education institution also creates opportunities for closer cooperation between the regional government and scientific institutions in promoting biodiversity conservation. Beyond its environmental benefits, the partnership could strengthen universities' role in advancing scientific knowledge and practical conservation measures.
ARI HARAHAP EXPLAINS COOPERATION ON THE BIODIVERSITY PARK PROJECT. Ari Harahap, Secretary of the North Sumatra Environmental and Forestry Agency, said the provincial government had signed a cooperation agreement with the University of North Sumatra to support the development of the conservation area. (PHOTO: YT Hariono)
Endemic Plants at the Heart of Conservation Efforts
The Kwala Bekala Biodiversity Park will focus primarily on planting a range of endemic species native to North Sumatra. The regional government intends to use the site not only to protect plant life but also to create an environment that supports wildlife habitats.
This approach is designed to combine the conservation of plant species with measures to maintain ecological balance. Diverse vegetation should provide suitable habitats for animals and help foster a richer ecosystem.
Unlike traditional conservation areas that have developed naturally, such as Taman Hutan Raya (Tahura), or grand forest parks, the biodiversity park will be established as a new ecosystem. The concept is intended for land that has previously been used unproductively or served as an arboretum outside designated forest areas.
"Unlike existing traditional conservation areas that have developed naturally, such as grand forest parks (Tahura), a biodiversity park is a new ecosystem created on land that was previously used unproductively or served as an arboretum outside forest areas," Ari explained.
The concept offers an opportunity to develop conservation areas deliberately beyond designated forest boundaries. Through planned planting and careful landscape design, the site can be developed to support biodiversity protection in a systematic way. Selecting appropriate plant species and taking wildlife requirements into account will help create an environment that reflects natural ecological conditions.
For North Sumatra, the project also offers an opportunity to raise public awareness of the province's native plant diversity and strengthen its protection. Bringing endemic species together at one location could help preserve biological resources while providing an educational and learning facility for the public, scientists and university students.
NORTH SUMATRA'S ENDEMIC PLANTS AT THE CENTRE OF CONSERVATION EFFORTS. Kwala Bekala Biodiversity Park is intended to preserve a range of endemic plant species, support wildlife habitats and contribute to ecological balance. (PHOTO: YT Hariono)
Infrastructure and Planting Targeted for Completion in 2029
The North Sumatra Provincial Government aims to complete the infrastructure works and planting programme at Kwala Bekala Biodiversity Park by 2029. However, it also believes the site could be introduced to the public earlier, with an initial opening, known as a soft launch, planned for 2027.
Ari explained that bringing the schedule forward would depend on whether the targets set out in the 2026 Action Plan were achieved. If all the planned preparatory objectives were completed ahead of schedule, the government would seek to proceed with the initial opening as planned.
The project's timeline shows that construction depends on more than preparing the land and building the necessary infrastructure. Completing the administrative asset transfer, conducting the environmental impact assessment, selecting species, finalising the technical design and obtaining the required permits will also play important roles in determining when the park can be developed.
The regional government hopes that its partnership with USU will ensure smooth implementation while enabling the site to be managed over the long term. The programme's success will ultimately depend on maintaining the planting programme, caring for the vegetation, protecting wildlife habitats and managing the area sustainably once construction has been completed.
"Through strategic cooperation between the North Sumatra Provincial Government and higher education institutions such as USU, the construction of Kwala Bekala Biodiversity Park is expected to proceed smoothly. It is also intended to serve as a model for provincial-level biodiversity parks in North Sumatra," Ari said.
If implemented as planned, Kwala Bekala Biodiversity Park could become a model for developing conservation areas outside designated forest boundaries at provincial level. In addition to protecting endemic plant species, the site could offer further opportunities for environmental education and raising awareness of biodiversity. It would also strengthen cooperation between the regional government and universities in protecting the environment. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala