To conserve the forest and environment, the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Dr. Ir. Siti Nurbaya Bakar, M.Sc, accompanied by Vice-Rector of UGM for Research and Community Service, Prof. Dr. Suratman, have planted up to 4,000 trees at the Merapi National Park in Jurangjero block, Magelang regency, on Saturday (17/12).
Ministries of State Secretary, Public Works and Housing, Foreign Affairs, Industry, and Transportation also joined the event that celebrate the 67th anniversary of Universitas Gadjah Mada.
“Today we plant trees together as a concrete act to conserve the environment. I highly appreciate the initiative by UGM alumni of Student Regiment, which is a real effort of them to dedicate to their campus through tree planting event,” said the Minister.
Siti Nurbaya said the government was facing a challenge in tree planting with the critical lands that measure 24 million hectares in total. Hence, her office welcomes the adoption system for tree planting act in the country that will bring on wisdom and participation of the local people.
Currently, adoption system is vital to driving forward the conservation efforts of the forest and environment.
The Minister further supports the plan to make the Merapi area as centre of vulcanology excellence.
Prof. Dr. Suratman said the tree planting act by UGM academic community had started since year 1971 along with the Student Community Service programme (KKN) launched by the late Prof. Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri. Suratman hoped the Merapi area can be contributed to the global education. It is planned that Merapi will be the learning laboratory for world volcanologists.
Event Chairman, Budi Widodo, M.P., said the tree planting event was to celebrate the UGM anniversary, initiated by Student Regiment alumni, and supported by Environment Ministry, BPDA SHL Opak Progo, BKSDA Yogyakarta, TNGM Merapi, Perum Perhutani, and Universitas Gadjah Mada.
As many as 4,000 of tree seeds were planted on Merapi with up to 11 types of trees such as Berasan, Trembelu, Randu Alas, Nogosari, etc.