The Jakarta Forestry Agency is intensiyfing sansevieria trifasciata plantation, locally known as lidah mertua (mother-in-law's tongue) throughout the city to help reduce air pollution.

This plant has the privilege of absorbing toxic materials, such as carbon dioxide, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichlorethylene.

"We already have more than 6,000 seeds and will continue to be added by targeting 6,000 sansevieria plants this year," said Urban Plant Development Management Unit Head, Yati Sudiharti, Wednesday (8/7).

To optimize it, exploration team with 20 personnel have been prepared to produce sansevieria seeds in Ciganjur Gardena and on Jalan Durian in Jagakarsa, Srengseng Garden, Cibubur Garden and Ragunan Zoo Garden.

"One person can do it up to 200 plants," she exclaimed. 

In addition, it is also targeting 10,000 betel ivory plants and 5,000 dieffenbachia plants or happy leaves. 

"Those plants are also planted in schools, government buildings, regional working units (SKPD/UKPD) under Jakarta Provincial Government," she told.

She continued that sansevieria plants will be distributed for free as a souvenir to the Flona 2019 visitors that falls at the end of August.

"All plants are actually able to reduce air pollution, but the most effective is sansevieria plant that is able to absorb 107 types of poison such as, air pollution, cigarette smoke until nuclear radiation, can also absorb CO2 and release O2 at night," she stated.