Planting Trees, Fosters Hope for the Future

Living in a country with the nickname Mega-biodiversity Country – which means a country with a rich biodiversity – should make us aware of the importance of biodiversity as a supporting component of our survival – humans. There are so many benefits that we can get from the existence of biodiversity, namely as a source of food, a source of inspiration, national identity, and its important role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and providers of clean air and water. That is why, biodiversity must be maintained, so that our lives and all living things on this Earth prosper, now and in the future.

In order to commemorate World Wildlife Day on March 3 and Earth Day on April 22, 3 elementary schools located in three villages, namely Suo-suo Village, Muara Sekalo, and Kelumpang Jaya in Muara Tebo Regency, Jambi, held tree planting activities as an effort to rehabilitate the land in the three villages, while simultaneously preserving biodiversity.

A total of 1,200 local fruit and wood trees seedlings were planted in priority areas, such as critical land or unproductive land. Planting is also carried out in the upper areas of the river to support the improvement of water quality, as well as preventing disasters such as floods and drought.

In its implementation, all residents ranging from students, teachers and school principals actively participated in planting trees around the school. Not only schools, this tree planting initiative also involves the Tebo Regency Education Office, related village sub-districts, Restoration Companies, Village Apparatuses and local residents.

The implementation of this tree planting action is part of a long commitment process. The establishment of tree nurseries in the three elementary schools in early 2019 was the first step of the school’s commitment to preserve biodiversity. Not just being a plant nursery ready to be planted in open land, the school tree nursery is also a place and learning media for students, so they can recognize, know the benefits, and foster a sense of caring and love for biodiversity. The involvement of students in preserving the existing biodiversity is very important, because they are the next generation and future leaders.

The tree planting action carried out in three villages in Muara Tebo Regency, Jambi is not the end of the commitments, but a new momentum towards stronger commitments in protecting and preserving the rich biodiversity that we have.

This activity has been supported by Michelin Foundation as part of a multiple year project for the protection of the environment in Bukit Tigapuluh landscape.

Watch the excitement of tree planting in three villages in the following video!