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.