In the Month of Ramadan, 80 students of IPB conducting expedition in Maluku
When the month of Ramadan comes, most Indonesian people would take this moment to get gather with their beloved families. Especially when the Eid Day comes, many people flocked back to their hometown. However, 80 IPB students of Students Association of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecotourism (Himakova) are going to carry out an expedition in the Manusela National Park (TNM), North Maluku.
The expedition is called Environmental Conservation Studies (Surili). The participants of the expedition numbering to 80 people make it the biggest expedition so far made by the students. Since 2004, it has been conducted regularly by Himakova every year with the main purpose of uncovering the wealth of biodiversity in the national parks of Indonesia.
The expedition team is divided into eight teams based on the number of the observant groups (KP) in Himakova. Himakova has 8 KP namely, mammals, birds, herpetofauna, butterflies, flora, caves, ecotourism, and conservation photography (FOKA). With the groups available, the data on biodiversity in the region will be more easily collected. It is indeed the main expertise of Himakova members
Surili of this year can said to be special because it coincides with the month of Ramadan and even the participants will end the fasting month in the middle of the jungle. That’s because the expedition is carried out from 22 July to 14 August 2013. In addition, the expedition which takes place in the eastern Indonesia provides its own unique value. Eastern Indonesia has high and very unique diversity of species. However, it has not been widely explored. After observing Manupeu Tanadaru National Park in 2009, this is the second time for Himakova to set foot in the eastern Indonesia.
Manusela National Park which means "bird freedom" does have a variety of bird species in it. According to the Chairman of KPB, Muchamad Fahmi Permana (21), "There would be a lot of unique birds for us to see there," he said. "In Manusela there are many types of birds with bent beaks like Maluku parrots, popinjays, and many other species," he added.
Supervisor of Himakova, Abdul Haris Mustari said "I give high appreciation to the participants of the expedition, for having the courage to sacrifice time with family at the time of Eid Day for this Surili. Hoist the flag of IPB and the Faculty of Forestry in eastern Indonesia," he added.
The time of hunger and thirst does not discourage the Surili participants to carry out their duties. Moreover, they are already prepared for not celebrating the Eid Day with families at home. This is not an obstacle for them, but it is a motivation of its own. Arizka Mufida (21), a Surili participant says "the experience gained will be worth of the sacrifice given.”
Indonesian soil is so rich, but not much is known. Himakova consistently reveals the natural richness of Indonesia through various expeditions. There are still a lot of stretches of land which has not been explored and a lot of Indonesian natural resources that we do not know, and many more unique things in the archipelago. This Surili is the devotion of Himakova to our beloved country. (Mtd)
