Efforts to conserve endemic flora on the slopes of Mount Merapi continue to be strengthened. A total of 26 students participating in the Universitas Gadjah Mada Community Service Program (KKN-PPM UGM) Period 4 of 2026 carried out an orchid-planting initiative involving Vanda tricolor at the Kalitalang Ecotourism Area, Balerante Village, Klaten, on Sunday (Jan. 4).
The symbolic planting took place in the public garden area near the Kalitalang Ecotourism parking lot and was conducted by students under the supervision of the Head of the Subdirectorate of Community Service at the Directorate of Community Service, Professor Nanung Agus Fitriyanto, and the Field Supervising Lecturer (DPL), Iqmal Tahir.
In this initiative, the KKN-PPM students also collaborated with corporate social responsibility (CSR) partners from the Astra Honda Motor Foundation, the Kagama KM3 community, and Kagama Ornamental Plants.
This conservation effort was undertaken in response to the declining wild population of Vanda tricolor orchids, driven by mass harvesting and the plant’s relatively long growth period.
Iqmal Tahir explained that, in addition to protecting biodiversity, the orchid planting program was designed to develop orchids’ potential as an edutourism icon.
“The conservation of Vanda tricolor, also known as Vanda suavis, needs to be carried out as part of efforts to protect biodiversity. At the same time, considering the potential of Vanda suavis, which has beautiful flower hues and a fairly fragrant aroma, this orchid should also be cultivated as an ornamental plant at tourist sites in the Merapi area,” said Tahir on Thursday (Jan. 8).
According to Tahir, the presence of these orchids holds great potential to be developed as a tourism icon through the creation of aesthetically pleasing garden spots that can function as attractions for nature-based tourism and edutourism, while also offering economic opportunities through specialized tourism and photography.
To ensure the sustainability of the orchids, they were placed in strategic locations within the tourism area.
These locations are managed by the Balerante Tourism Awareness Group, enabling intensive, well-coordinated monitoring and maintenance of the plants.
A representative of the Balerante Village administration, Jainu, welcomed the initiative, believing that it would enhance visitor appeal, especially during the flowering season from August to October.
“I fully support this initiative. The Vanda tricolor orchids cultivated in the Kalitalang Ecotourism Area can become an additional tourist attraction,” he said.
Regarding maintenance efforts, Tahir explained that the UGM students plan to integrate technological support to promote optimal plant growth.
By applying Internet of Things (IoT) systems, microclimate control, and automated processes for watering, fertilization, and pest management, these systems can be implemented.
“We are also considering the development of tissue culture technology to enable the mass propagation of these plants,” he concluded.
Author: Aldi Firmansyah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographs: KKN-PPM Team in Klaten