Universitas Gadjah Mada became the only university that receives the award from the Forestry Minister in the One Billion of Trees Planting programme in 2012. The award is presented to Rector of UGM, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc., Sc, in the summit of Indonesian Tree Planting Day and National Planting Month 2013 in Karangasem, Bali (25/11).
“We’re obviously happy with the award. Along with the Indonesian Tree Community, we have received the award for higher learning and NGO category. We’re seen as a campus that is active in tree planting,” said the Rector in his office on Wednesday (27/11).
The Rector said the award would certainly encourage UGM academic community to plant more trees. “Admittedly, this is all driven by Faculty of Forestry. This award is a recognition of their hard work,” he said.
The award poses a challenge for UGM to work harder for Indonesia, especially in reforestation of areas outside of Java. Almost 70% of timber production came from outside of Java.
According to the Rector, with or without the award, UGM is still committed in becoming a campus of national inspiration, becoming the reference for progress and sustainable development. UGM wants to ensure that reforestation will bring short and long term benefits.