REHABILITATION OF COAL MINED LAND USING ECONOMICALLY VALUABLE LOCAL TREE SPECIES

Coal mining in Bengkulu Province is conducted mostly in forest areas, using open mining method, which causes significant ecosystem degradation . Before mining operation is closed and the land is returned to the government, the significantly degraded ecosystems must be rehabilitated in order to restore their original function. Most coal companies use fast-growing exotic species for reforestation of mined land because these species are capable of growing relatively fast in mined land. However, the establishment of exotic species changes the vegetation. According to the international Society of Ecological Restoration, one of criteria for successful restoration of degraded ecosystem is the presence of native species. It is important, therefore, that coal mined land be restored into its original ecosystem using native species. This paper reports the early growth of Dysoxillum mollissimum and Madhuca aspera, economically valuable local tree species, we used for reforestation of mined land in Central Bengkulu. Until three months after plantation both species grew relatively well in open mined land. If both species continue growing into mature stage, the rehabilitated mined land will have high economic value and ecological value