Public joins environmental campaign<\/p>\n
Multa Fidrus, Tangerang<\/p>\n
In an effort to repair some of the damage along the heavily
\npolluted Cisadane River, Tangerang Regent Ismet Iskandar has
\nasked industrial firms to plant trees in the area through a \"tree
\nbank\" set up by the regency's environmental management agency.<\/p>\n
Of 250 industrial firms that have promised to donate trees,
\nonly two have yet to do so.<\/p>\n
\"We thank the industrial firms and businessmen for paying
\nattention to the environment. The trees donated by PT Indah Kiat
\nand PT Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) will help restore the damaged
\necosystem along the river,\" Ismet said in a speech.<\/p>\n
The regent and Deputy State Minister for the Environment Arie
\nD. D. Djoekardi officiated over the planting of 200,000 trees and
\na green fun bike ride in the BSD housing estate on Sunday
\nmorning.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of students from 50 schools in BSD took 50,000 of the
\ndonated trees and planted them at their respective schools. The
\nremaining 150,000 trees were planted along Jl. Raya Serpong and
\nthe banks of the Cisadane River.<\/p>\n
During the event, Ismet also inaugurated the Community of
\nCisadane Lovers and Pandu Lingkungan, an integrated community
\nempowerment program to improve people's awareness, appreciation
\nand comprehension of environmental issues.<\/p>\n
Pandu Lingkungan consists of 60 green activists who have been
\ntrained to deal with environmental problems by the Wanadri
\nFoundation in Lembang, West Java.<\/p>\n
The organization will focus its work on the restoration of the
\necosystem along the river, while also teaching the public about
\nthe importance of protecting the environment.<\/p>\n
The head of the regency's environmental agency, Deden
\nSugandhi, said the organization would act as a partner to the
\nagency in dealing with environmental issues.<\/p>\n
\"Pandu Lingkungan is independent. It can sue the government
\nfor its handling of environmental problems or sue the public for
\ndamaging the environment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Later on Sunday, about 1,200 families took part in a fun bike
\nride. All of the participants were required to collect garbage
\nalong the five-kilometer route of the ride.<\/p>\n
Each family was given a large plastic bag to collect as much
\ngarbage as possible. They exchanged their collected garbage at
\nthe finish line for discount coupons for items such as TV sets
\nand mountain bikes.<\/p>\n
\"This is one step to show the public how to love their
\nenvironment,\" BSD spokesman Dhonny Rahajoe said.<\/p>\n
Natalie, a 35-year-old resident of BSD, said she came to the
\nevent with her husband and two children to enjoy the bike ride
\nand also to help conserve the environment.<\/p>\n
\"We are not after the prizes. We just want to take part in the
\nprogram to make our small contribution to environmental
\nconservation.\"<\/p>\n
She added that the green fun bike ride was the first of its
\nkind at BSD and hoped it could become a regular event.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/public-joins-environmental-campaign-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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