Jakarta – Farmers grouped under the banner of KUB Simbar Segara in Pemogan village, South Denpasar, Bali, cooperated with PT Pertamina Training and Consulting (PTC) and PT Arunika Bumi Lestari (ABL) in planting mangrove trees on Feb. 14 to commemorate World Wetlands Day.
Also taking part in the event was Ngurah Rai Forest Park, a management unit under the Bali Forestry Agency.
PTC president director Muhammad Shabran Fauzani said the activity was part of the company's commitment to making a positive impact on society and the environment instead of focusing only on business growth.
"We hope that this initiative will bring long-term benefits and drive more people to develop a better future," he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, ABL director Chintya Dian Astuty said the mangrove-planting event was a very important activity to accelerate achieving the sustainability agenda.
"We should appreciate and support education institutions and corporations in reaching net-zero emissions in their operations," Chintya said in the statement.
"Especially since the activity also involves young people who have the spirit and concern for the environment."
Chintya, who is also deputy head of the permanent committee for planning and evaluation of watersheds at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the educational aspect of sustainability in protection, rehabilitation and restoration of mangrove ecosystems, which should be carried out for all stakeholders so they can understand problems in coastal areas.
Meanwhile, Ngurah Rai Forest Park rehabilitation and conservation analyst Made Yuda Wibawa appreciated the event, which supported the management unit's program to rehabilitate the coastal area.
"Mangrove planting is important because it has various functions and benefits. That is why we must always maintain it," he said.
KUB Simbar Segara chairman Ketut Darsana said that through this event, his members could meet with other stakeholders in collaboration to support the development of mangrove forest rehabilitation by planting 1,000 mangrove seedlings.
Other than planting mangrove trees, PTC also visited SD27 state elementary school in Pemecutan, Denpasar, to conduct various activities, such as environmental education sessions for pupils, tree planting, waste management and a creative recycling workshop.
PTC also carried out free medical checkups, distributed social aid for people from vulnerable groups, as well as supporting religious, art and cultural groups.