Berau, E Kalimantan (ANTARA) – Authorities in Berau District, East Kalimantan, and the Republic of Seychelles are exploring the potential development of candlenut plantations on former coal mining sites to boost the local economy and restore post-mining lands.”The Berau district government encourages the cultivation of kemiri sunan (Reutealis trisperma) as a solution for rehabilitating critical post-mining lands, providing ecological benefits while simultaneously boosting the economy,” Deputy Head of Berau District Gamalis said in Berau on Wednesday.He noted that post-mining rehabilitation is not merely an obligation but a vital long-term investment, offering significant benefits for environmental balance, public health, and economic development.”Land rehabilitation is not just about reforestation. It is an effort to create productive areas capable of improving the community's economy in the future,” he stated.Studies have shown that candlenut can thrive on marginal and degraded lands. The plant also features a strong taproot system that helps prevent erosion and landslides.Its canopy helps reduce surface temperatures, while fallen leaves accelerate the accumulation of organic matter to aid in restoring soil fertility.In addition to restoring environmental conditions, Reutealis trisperma yields about 52 percent vegetable oil for biodiesel processing and boasts a productive lifespan of 50 to 100 years.During a meeting on Tuesday with the Seychelles President's Special Envoy for ASEAN, Nico Barito, and representatives of several mining companies, Gamalis expressed optimism that developing candlenut plantations would support renewable energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.”We appreciate the support of the Seychelles President's Special Envoy for ASEAN in introducing the cultivation of kemiri sunan. Hopefully, this collaboration will serve as an initial step in strengthening the green economy by actively involving mining companies,” he said.Meanwhile, Barito highlighted that Reutealis trisperma is a highly adaptive plantation crop suitable for former coal mine sites.”The success of development is measured not only by the resources utilized but also by efforts to restore nature. Kemiri sunan is a biodiesel-producing plant, and we already possess a post-mining land management model tailored for candlenut cultivation,” he remarked.