In the series event of visiting Indonesia and Universitas Gadjah Mada, Dutch King, Willem-Alexander accompanied with Dutch Queen Maxima, and some Dutch scientists discussed with UGM lecturers. On Wednesday morning (11/3), some scientists had a discussion about biodiversity matters in the Faculty of Biology, some in the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing were discussing health matters. In the Faculty of Law, some were discussing social humanities.
Dean of Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., when he was welcoming the Dutch researchers, said that the Faculty of Biology developed a discussion theme of biodiversity. They thoroughly explored the Biodiversity Index of Indonesia (IBI) in depth. They expected that the Biodiversity Index of Indonesia could be a platform as benchmarks to look up the biodiversity status and its impacts on society.
“The benchmark referred to the Biodiversity Index of Indonesia itself is very important for us. It functions to measure in each region, region, village, sub-district or district/city, or province, whether they still have good biodiversity or has been somewhat damaged or even completely damaged, " said Budi.
According to Budi, however, biodiversity is the main modal to work in a healthy and ideal environment. In fact, the human being lives with oxygen from its environment. Therefore, if it is damaged, the diversity will also decrease.
“For instance, the Jakarta Index is decreasing. Hence, there should be attempts from the regional and central government to increase the index of diversity, for example planting trees or increasing flood prevention, etc.,” he said.
As a chairman of Biology Consortium Indonesia (KOBI), he expected that areas such as Papua and East Borneo should have given incentives because both areas are the most contributors to oxygen and biodiversity, for example, the contribution to various herbs such as medicine.
“Particular territorials which preserve and increase the diversity of its place should be given an incentive. KOBI always annually gives biodiversity award or Kalpataru to individual figures or groups, communities which concerned with the development of Indonesia biodiversity,” Budi said.
He expected the meeting with 15 scientists from various universities in the Netherlands proceeds to the real collaboration between two countries because KOBI currently has 331 study programs in which the members are from the entire of Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke.
“Therefore, we will together develop this collaboration easier in some study programs such as biology, biotechnology, microbiology in Indonesia. Including the collaboration of zebrafish for bio media development. This alternative used because other animals for research material such as rabbit, white mouse, and goat are currently on high price,” he said.
Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation in the Faculty of Biology, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., added Indonesia currently does not have the biodiversity index. Therefore, it will be beneficial for Indonesia, and some universities in the Netherlands developed the Biodiversity Index of Indonesia.
Hence, there will be collaboration in IBI’s programs with universities in Indonesia and the Netherlands, primarily related to biodiversity researches. This program considered good synergy, and research in the field of biodiversity can develop with the existence of the Biodiversity Index of Indonesia.
“We will see how good or damage our biodiversity is. Related to the biodiversity, we are in 2nd position after Brazil. When we had not had IBI in Indonesia, Netherlands had it first. Well, we can learn from them, although it won’t be the same,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bambang Retno Aji from Structure Laboratory of Animals Development added that UGM is currently having collaboration with Leiden University in the facility development of zebrafish. According to him, ten species of zebrafish in UGM have developed through the facility since 2015.
“The facility is as the model of the organism, which aims to examine some related researches with biodiversity or medical fields and other fields. It expected that in 2020, the zebrafish facility would have maximal benefit. Moreover, it will be beneficial for UGM academicians as well as international researchers and partners in Leiden,” he said.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Translator: Natasa A