IPB University Conserves Rare Trees with Alumni
Indonesia, as a mega-biodiversity country in the world is blessed with abundant biodiversity and ecological exclusivity in a great geographical structure. This trait can be made as a foundation for a sustainable development. Threats against rare trees in Indonesia has become more imminent as the time passes. The real threat against the trees is excessive utilization of trees. The trees’ habitat keeps on dwindling due to the rising population – to be transformed into buildings and housings.
Looking at the threats, IPB University with the Central Board (DPP) of Alumni Association (HA) and Seameo Biotrop, supported by General Directorate of Social Forestry and Environmental Partnership, Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) conducts the Green Launching of Rare Trees Planting as a part of National Movement of National Rare Trees Conservation, Wednesday (11/9) in Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) Auditorium’s field. On the same occasion, the Rector of Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands, Prof Arthur J Mol was also present and took part in the planting as a part of UniversiTREE program in commemoration of Wageningen University and Research’s 100th birthday.
The Rector of IPB University, Dr Arif Satria gladly welcomed the initiative of DPP HA IPB University and said that the Grand Launching is very urgent to be held. “If we’re late in doing this, Indonesia will lose priceless scientific assets. The attempts to be done is to protect the organisms and rehabilitate the land through planting of rare trees in every part of the country. The planting is very crucial to be done as IPB University’s commitment to protect biodiversity and moving towards sustainable development,” said the Rector.
On the same occasion, the Directorate General of Social Forestry and Environmental Partnership KLHK, Dr Bambang Suprianto said that he really supports and is ready to stand behind the movement. KLHK is ready to provide the seeds to conserve rare trees all over Indonesia. “KLHK also provides fruit seeds and rare tree seeds, which have been distributed to 50 locations all over Indonesia. Each location is provided and produces around 1 million seeds,” he said.
The Chairman of DPP HA IPB University, Ir Fathan Kamil said that trees planted in IPB University are 130 seeds of rare trees of Indonesia, such as: rasamala (Altingia excelsa Noronha), ebony (Diospyros celebica), Palembang meranti (Shorea palembanica), red meranti (Shorea selanica), ulin/bulian (Eusideroxylon zwageri Teijism and Binn), hollong/kruing gunung (Dipterocarpus retusus), merbau (Insia bijuga), and hopea/takian (Hopea nigra). The seeds were acquired from Bogor Botanical Garden and Seameo Biotrop. “Tree planting in IPB University Campus is one of the 30 planting locations planned to be worked on in Indonesia involving DPD HA in regional level”. (Ard)
