Taking a leaf from Betawi community's book

Bambang Parlupi, Contributor, Jakarta

While ecologists busily strive to conserve forests in many parts of the world, the remaining forested areas in Jakarta are dwindling or vanishing altogether.

Take for example, the areas around the National Monument or Senayan sports ground. These areas have virtually lost their open space function. At present, waste and chemicals from commercial fish farms are threatening the life of Muara Angke Wildlife Conservation Area, North Jakarta, which is already in a poor state.

Despite these heart-rending stories, we can still enjoy a lush, green, forest in Cilandak, South Jakarta. The 40-hectare forest, stretching for 18 kilometers along the banks of the Pesanggrahan river, Lebak Bulus district, South Jakarta, is the only one remaining.

Realizing the importance of forests, a conservation group, Sangga Buana Farmers and the Living Environment, composed of indigenous Betawi (Jakartan) farmers living along the riverbanks, decided to take care of the forest 12 years ago.

"The idea of conserving the environment came up in the early 1990s, when I felt that the forests around the river were seriously damaged," said head of the group Chairuddin, 47. He added that at that time lots of trees along the banks had been felled and developers of housing complexes in the district had erected fences and walls along the riverbank.

For three years, he, along and 15 other members of the group, struggled to salvage the remaining forest.

"Our first step was to regain the 40-hectare conservation area. We had a battle with the developers over their smashing and demolishing of walls and fences along the river," recalled the father of two.

The first step the group undertook was termed "Saving what's left of Jakarta." In 1994 they began to restore the forests by replanting trees that had once been abundant in the district.

Once a week all group members assembled on the riverbank, thinking about how to take care of the forest and who would do it.

"We found seedlings from different corners of Jakarta and bred them in a traditional way. We planted some 4,000 trees in the first phase. Then we simply left them to grow naturally.

"As of now we have planted some 17,000 trees of different species, including bamboo and oak, to provide a habitat for birds. Afterwards we planted fruit trees, such as durian, mangosteen and mango, and other trees that have medicinal properties, which formerly grew in the area.

Warno, 35, an officer from the South Jakarta Agricultural Office, said that many other groups followed suit. Almost every month the local administration, students and environmental activists take part in regreening activities in the area. He added the local administration had contributed more than 3,000 trees for the forest.

A few years ago more than 100 city residents took part in the planting of over 1,000 trees to regreen it.

The hard work earned the district a Kalpataru Award in 2000 from the central government.

"Under the theme, 'to make a better world', broadcast on a private radio station, we appealed to the public to conserve the environment through concrete action," Warno said.

State Minister of the Environment Nabiel Makarim said the efforts of Karang Tengah district residents should serve as an example of how a community can join forces to save the environment.

Currently, the area, which has a wide variety of plant species, boasts some 17 bird species, plus mammals, reptiles and monkeys.

Chairuddin said visitors must abide by the rules set by the residents as the area has now become a tourist attraction in South Jakarta. "We have forbidden anyone from felling trees, hunting animals, starting fires or dumping garbage in the area."

The forest, which won an award from Dubai in February, has also become an environmental study center.