Giving life meaning through conservation
Giving life meaning through conservation
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
About 200 people gathered under a gazebo in the complex of the
Pancasila University, Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta recently. It
was 11 p.m. and the lights were all switched off. The only
illumination came from candles.
The people were members of Talaseta, an environment
conservation group of the university's economics faculty. They
were participating in a night of reflection in commemoration of
the group's anniversary.
"We have a night of reflection every year. It is organized as
part of Talaseta's anniversary," Muhammad Mahfud, chairman of the
group's rock climbing division, told The Jakarta Post.
Established on Nov. 1, 1987, Talaseta today has 284 members.
The annual reflection is important for Talaseta members
because it helps them identity their strengths and weaknesses.
Through reflection, the students hope to improve their
performance in following years.
Talaseta is an abbreviation derived from the words Cinta Alam
Semesta (Love the Universe). It has three divisions: a mountain
and jungle division, a rock climbing division and a river rafting
division.
The mountain and jungle division focuses on trekking to the
mountains and jungle, as well as developing navigation skills
among its members.
Members are also encouraged to observe the environment and to
make efforts for conservation. The rock climbing division
meanwhile develops skills in wall climbing, either man-made or
natural. The rafting division develops skills in search and
rescue.
"Although our members are divided into three groups, our
members are encouraged to learn from all divisions," Mahfud
added.
Armed with knowledge of search and rescue, rock climbing and
navigation, Talaseta members have participated in numerous
conservation efforts and expeditions.
Both male and female members undertake expeditions.
For example, Talaseta made an expedition to Mt. Leuser, Aceh,
(3,381 meters above sea level) in 1989, and climbed the Watu Limo
steep, East Java, one year later.
A journey across Kalimantan, which they called the Bukit Raya
Expedition, was made in 1992, while the climbing of Serelo, South
Sumatra, was made in 1994.
A women's team went on an expedition to Mount Kerinci, Jambi,
(3,805 meters) in 1994, and another expedition to Mount Tambora,
West Nusa Tenggara (2,850 meter) in 2000.
Despite the expeditions, Talaseta members never forget their
basic mission as students as stated in the Tri Dharma Perguruan
Tinggi (three missions of the university), namely research,
development and social responsibility.
Through activities called bakti sosial (social service),
Talaseta members often take part in search and rescue operations,
social work, reforestation, and construction of public facilities
in rural areas.
"We plan to build a water reservoir and musholla (prayer room)
in Cimaherang village, Sukabumi, West Java. It will be part of
our social work activities scheduled for Nov. 25," said Dian
Permadi, another executive member.
He added that Talaseta members had also built toilet
facilities for the people of Pabuaran Village, Jonggol, West
Java. They also taught local people how to better conserve their
environment.
Talaseta members often also take part in the river clean up
program jointly organized by conservation groups in Jakarta.
"We only send delegates to the river cleaning program. We
cannot organize river cleaning ourselves because we don't have
enough money," Dian said, adding the lack of financial resources
forced the group to set priorities in their programs.
Despite budget constraints, Talaseta, whose motto reads "Kami
Muda Tapi Punya Arti" (We are young but we have purpose), has
shown that its existence gives benefit to the community.