Ministry of Environment Partners with Labour Unions to Green Upstream Bandung by Planting 12,000 Trees
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has partnered with workers to green the upstream area of Bandung by planting around 12,000 trees in Pasir Jambu, Bandung Regency, West Java.
Environment and Forestry Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat stated that this effort represents a cross-sectoral collaboration to sustainably restore the environment, protect water catchment areas, and reduce flood risks in Greater Bandung.
“We are collaborating with labour unions; nearly 12,000 trees have been planted. Hopefully, this will serve as a tool to continuously preserve the environment so that flash floods no longer occur here,” said Minister Jumhur in Bandung on Sunday.
The minister added that this movement is expected to be the beginning of an umbrella that can unite various elements of society, from workers and entrepreneurs to the government, in greening efforts.
He also noted that workers in Indonesia are now starting to be actively involved in addressing various issues, including through environmental agendas.
On this occasion, the minister said that the tree-planting movement in Bandung Regency will serve as inspiration for a national greening campaign in various regions across Indonesia.
“The central government will also carry out a campaign inspired by our friends in the region, Mr Regent. Hopefully, in the near future, we can make this a national movement,” he stated.
Moreover, the minister mentioned that Indonesia currently has around 12.4 million hectares of land that needs restoration, necessitating a massive and sustainable greening movement.
Meanwhile, Bandung Regent Dadang Supriatna will soon launch follow-up efforts to the planting by involving the 90,000 workers in the area.
His side will require each worker to plant at least two tree seedlings around their residential areas to carry out greening. “We have agreed with all labour unions; these 90,000 workers are required to plant trees. At least two trees per person,” he said.
He stated that this activity is one of the efforts to rehabilitate critical lands so that the environmental conditions remain maintained.
In Bandung Regency itself, the Bandung Regency Government recorded that 942.68 hectares of agricultural land have been converted to buildings over the last decade.
Therefore, his side views the tree planting in the upstream Bandung area as important to maintain water catchment areas, while strengthening environmental recovery efforts in the upstream region.