After turning the west side of Pluit Dam in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, which was previously occupied by thousands of squatters, into a city park, Governor Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo is keen to start another regreening program at Ria-Rio reservoir in Pulo Mas, East Jakarta.

During an inspection of the site on Monday, Jokowi said the Jakarta Parks and Cemetery Agency and city-owned property developer PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro), which owns and operates the south side of the reservoir, would start the construction of city parks at the 26-hectare site, which holds a 9-hectare reservoir.

 'The agency will build a park in a 2-hectare area on the west side while Jakpro will build another one on the south side. Construction will start next month and is expected to be completed next year,' the governor told reporters.

Some 500 squatter families occupying the east side of the reservoir will be relocated.

The construction of city parks is part of the city administration's efforts to increase the number of green spaces in the city. Jokowi hopes to increase green areas to 30 percent of the city from the current 9 percent.

'Green and public spaces will increase water catchments, ease tension in the city and promote interaction among residents,' Jokowi said.

Jakarta Parks and Cemetery Agency acting head Yonathan Pasodung said the project had been budgeted in this year city budget. 'Up to Rp 3 billion [US$285,000] has been allocated for the project,' Yonathan told reporters.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Public Works Agency will be tasked with dredging the reservoir, which is full of water hyacinth and sedimentation.

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