UGM and the Ministry of National Development Planning planted 100 yellow tabebuias (Handroanthus chrysotrichus) trees within the UGM campus environment.
The tree planting activity on Saturday (November 5) was undertaken as a tangible demonstration of support for environmental preservation.
Moreover, tree planting also aimed to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 concerning climate change mitigation and SDG 15 regarding land ecosystem sustainability.
The tree seedling planting was supported by the Tanoto Foundation and handed over by the National Development Planning Agency to UGM.
The symbolic handover of the plants from the ministry’s poverty alleviation expert staff, Dr. Pungkas Bahjuri Ali, to the UGM Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, took place in the UGM Library area on November 5.
This event was also part of the series of activities for the SDGs Annual Conference (SAC) 2023, intending to engage the broader community in tree-planting actions to create a greener environment.
This initiative was also expected to increase awareness of the importance of tree planting and its positive impact on sustainable environments while strengthening collaboration to achieve the SDGs.
“UGM and the Ministry of National Development Planning synergize to achieve sustainable development goals,” Dr. Sujito stated.
The vice-rector explained that UGM is very open to such collaborations to ensure that SDG achievements have significance.
UGM also has community service programs spread across almost all regions in Indonesia, focusing on strategic themes and programs to achieve the SDGs.
“The current theme is essential to leave a greener earth for future generations; all this is for the benefit of the Indonesian people and particularly for the world, to achieve global justice and humanitarian aspirations,” Dr. Sujito concluded.
Dr. Pungkas Bahjuri Ali expressed gratitude to UGM for accepting the responsibility to care for one hundred trees entrusted to them, supported by the Tanoto Foundation and BPDAS Serayu-Opak DIY.
This aligns with the mandate from the Minister of National Development Planning to launch a tree initiative under the theme “Seeds of Hope: Inheriting a Greener Earth for Future Generations.”
“In line with the theme, these trees are like seeds of hope. Therefore, we hope these trees can grow along with the growth of students as future leaders who can provide shade, protection, and refreshment. Hopefully, future leaders can continue sustainable development to achieve the SDGs,” the expert staff elaborated.
This tree-planting activity was simultaneously carried out in various universities and schools across Indonesia.
This initiative is hoped to inspire and create collective efforts and tangible actions in demonstrating concern for the environment to create a greener and more sustainable future.
Author: Dn Halimah
Editor: Ika
Photographer: Bilqis