ARM HA and BEM KM IPB University Hold Mangrove Planting and Environmental Cleanup Activities on Tidung Island

The Independent Alumni Association Volunteer Action (ARM HA) collaborated with the Student Executive Board of the Student Family (BEM KM) IPB University in a mangrove planting (Akar Laut) and environmental cleanup (Jangkar Laut) activity on Tidung Island, Thousand Islands, North Jakarta, (9/18–19).

This activity was part of a series of events for the IPB Expedition-National Expedition 2025 organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Community Affairs of BEM KM IPB, which is under the auspices of the National Forum for Social Affairs (Fornasosmas) of BEM throughout Indonesia.

The mangrove and coral planting, followed by coastal environmental cleanup, was carried out to preserve the coastal and marine ecosystem, prevent erosion and environmental damage, and provide habitat for marine life. 

“We are also trying to raise public awareness by putting up information and educational boards about the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness and good waste management,” said a representative from BEM KM IPB University, Ahmad Adzkia Khairi, a 61st batch student of the Vocational School.

In the Akar Laut program, mangrove planting was carried out by 21 IPB University students together with 10 officers from the DKI Jakarta Food Security, Maritime Affairs, and Fisheries Agency (KPKP). No less than 500 Rhizopora stylosa mangrove seedlings were planted in the Tidung Kecil area.

Students also planted 50 corals of the Acropora donei and Acropora muricata species, Stylophora madagascariensis, and the Pocillopora genus. Two officers from the Jakarta KPKP Office led the mangrove and coral planting and explained the planting techniques.

Meanwhile, in the Jangkar Laut program, around 50 participants from among students and residents of Tidung Besar came together to clean up the coastal environment and the island. The waste collected during the cleanup was placed at several points to be transported by the Tidung Island Environmental Agency to a disposal site. 

Later, the waste will be sorted, processed, and treated at the Tidung Island waste disposal site (TPS). Some of it will be used in maggot cultivation to maximize the use of organic waste, while other inorganic waste such as plastic and plastic bottles will be sent to Jakarta by a special waste transport ship that usually picks up waste once a month. 

The Chairman of ARM HA IPB University, Ir Ahmad Husein, MSi, expressed appreciation and welcomed this initiative. He supports the activity as it aligns with the disaster preparedness and mitigation program his organization has established.

“Planting mangroves and coral reefs is one of the mitigation and preparedness efforts at the community level to combat hazards such as coastal erosion, sea waves, and even tsunamis,” said Husein. 

To date, ARM HA has collaborated with BEM KM IPB in various social and humanitarian activities, both within and outside the campus environment. One of these is a webinar and talk show on volunteerism, training and recruitment of ARM Friends volunteers, as well as basic disaster management training. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RWA)