Papua Pegunungan Provincial Government Plants 3,000 Trees on National Education Day

Wamena - The Papua Pegunungan Provincial Government planted 3,000 trees on the occasion of National Education Day (Hardiknas) 2026 as an effort to instil an environmental care character in students in the region. The tree planting took place in the Napua hills area, Jayawijaya Regency, Papua Pegunungan, involving 300 students and teachers from SD YPPGI Napua and Sekolah Papua Harapan Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Papua. Acting Head of the Education, Culture, and Youth Affairs Office (Disdikbud) of Papua Pegunungan, Simon Sembor, in Wamena on Saturday, stated that the tree planting was conducted on the occasion of Hardiknas 2026 in the Napua hills area and SMA Kristen Wamena. “This tree planting is our support from the Disdikbud of Papua Pegunungan to maintain the preservation and natural ecosystem to prevent disasters such as landslides and floods,” he said. Meanwhile, Chair of the Governor’s Expert Team for Papua Pegunungan, Paul Wetipo, said that planting 3,000 trees is an initial step to successfully implement the “greening the valley” programme in Jayawijaya Regency. “Our coordination with the governor (of Papua Pegunungan) is such that in every Hardiknas celebration, this planting spirit must be instilled in the younger generation to maintain the natural ecosystem in this area,” he stated. According to him, the younger generation in Papua Pegunungan, especially in Jayawijaya Regency, must be equipped with an environmental preservation spirit from an early age. “The governor wants school children to be taught from now on to love nature by protecting forests and planting trees. And as proof of love for nature, today we invite school children to plant trees,” he said. He explained that the vision and mission of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Papua Pegunungan, John Tabo-Ones Pahabol, prioritises three main pillars: government, customs, and religion. “We invite and provide education to indigenous children to always love nature by planting trees,” he stated. He mentioned that the number of plants planted is approximately 3,000 trees consisting of native trees such as Wilo, Sin, and pucuk merah to beautify the area. “We prioritise native trees, one of which is Wilo and Sin, because they can improve soil fertility. Starting now, in every Hardiknas celebration, we will plant trees in the eight regencies of Papua Pegunungan to provide education and culture of tree planting for the younger generation,” he said.