RRI.CO.ID, Penajam Paser Utara - The Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority is accelerating its mission to transform Indonesia's new capital into a world-class forest city by integrating tourism with environmental rehabilitation.

During the recent national holiday period from April 3–5, 2026, visitors to the Sepaku Subdistrict were invited to do more than just sightseet, hey were encouraged to personally plant trees within the IKN Tropical Rainforest Miniature. Director of Macro Planning for the IKN Authority, Pungky Widiaryanto, noted that the initiative aims to build a new culture where visitors leave a lasting ecological legacy.

“Visitors don't just come to see the progress but also participate in planting trees and activities with their families,” Pungky said on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The scale of public interest in the new capital remains remarkably high, with nearly 60,000 people entering the region over the three-day holiday window. According to recent data, approximately 59,676 visitors and 14,382 vehicles were recorded entering the IKN area during this period.

To accommodate this surge of interest, authorities provided 500 planting holes equipped with seedlings characteristic of Kalimantan’s tropical forests, allowing families to actively participate in the city's green transformation. This initiative not only manages the high visitor volume but also ensures that public engagement directly contributes to the reforestation of the future capital.

To support the vision of a sustainable "Forest City," the planting composition is carefully curated to mimic the natural biodiversity of the region. The vegetation strategy consists of 70 percent native Kalimantan species, such as meranti, balangeran, and bodhi, and 30 percent Multi-Purpose Tree Species (MPTS) like kemiri (candlenut) and kapuk randu, which offer diverse ecological and functional benefits.

Special Staff to the Head of the IKN Authority for Public Communication, Troy Pantouw emphasized that these activities represent IKN’s future as a green, inclusive, and sustainable hub. By involving the public in the reforestation of the Central Government Core Area (KIPP), the government is shifting the perception of IKN from a mere administrative center to a public space that blends ecology, education, and recreation.

"Indonesia's new national capital is starting to grow as a public space combining ecological, educational, and recreational aspects," Troy explained. ***