GARUT - In celebration of World Tree Planting Day on January 10, 2022, PT Jamkrindo conducted simultaneous tree planting events in two regions: Garut, West Java, and Tuban, East Java.
In Garut, Jamkrindo, in collaboration with the Salarea Foundation, organized a tree planting event titled "Green the Earth, Plant Hope." This environmental initiative was supported by the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Indonesia Financial Group (IFG), Perhutani, and the Garut local government. In Tuban, the Jamkrindo Surabaya Branch and Regional Office, along with KUP Bojonegara, the Tuban Environmental Agency, and other stakeholders, carried out the planting of productive trees.
During the event in Garut, Deputy Regent Helmi Budiman expressed that the tree planting effort is an investment in creating a beautiful and sustainable environment, free from natural disasters caused by the depletion of environmental support. "In addition to the spirit of planting, we must also focus on the spirit of caring and engaging the community to plant and maintain these trees, for the beauty of nature in the future," he said. "We appreciate this initiative and hope that this planting provides benefits not only in this world but also in the hereafter," he added.
Helmi, together with PT Jamkrindo's Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Nenden Kania Puji Asri, symbolically planted an aren (palm) tree. Meanwhile, other participants, including Cibatu Sub-district Head Sardiman Tanjung, Cibatu Military Command Captain Ade Armi, Salarea Foundation Founder Dadan M Ramdan, and Cibatu Village Head Dadang Ori, planted various trees such as trembesi (rain tree), mahogany, mindi, and jabon trees.
Three locations in Garut were targeted for the tree planting efforts. These included critical land areas in Mangkubumi, Cibatu Village, areas near the river in Sukawening Village, Sukawening Sub-district (which had previously been affected by flash floods), and an empty plot of land in Pasir Waru Village, Limbangan Sub-district.
PT Jamkrindo President Director Putrama Wahju Setyawan explained that the selection of Garut as the location for the tree planting activity was part of the company's efforts to contribute to improving the local environmental conditions.
"Many areas in Garut, including Cibatu Sub-district, have critical lands and vulnerable watersheds that face the threat of landslides and floods, especially due to land-use changes in upstream areas. We hope that the trees planted will be cared for and thrive, increasing the tree cover in Garut," Putrama said separately.
The Head of Jamkrindo's Bandung Regional Office, Dody Novarianto, expressed hope that the tree planting efforts would be sustainable, extending beyond Garut and Tuban to other regions as well. "This is a form of Jamkrindo's commitment to preserving the environment," Dody stated.
Jamkrindo and Salarea Foundation are also collaborating to establish a nursery to produce conservation tree seedlings and productive plant seeds to supply farmers' needs in Garut.
Salarea Foundation Founder, Dadan M Ramdan, explained that the tree planting would be carried out in several phases. The first phase includes planting 3,000 trees, including mahogany, trembesi (rain tree), mindi, and jabon, with a trial planting of 100 aren (palm) trees. "This reforestation effort is one of the focuses of the environmental division of Salarea Foundation, which oversees the Community Environmental Care (MPL) group and the Rumah Sampah Salarea volunteers," Dadan shared.
Dadan also commended Jamkrindo for consistently implementing programs that empower village farmers, including environmental initiatives like the tree planting effort.
In the future, Dadan mentioned that tree seedlings for conservation and productive plant needs, such as coffee for farmers, would be supplied from the Salarea nursery, which is being developed with Jamkrindo.
Akhmad Albaasithu, Head of Jamkrindo's Bandung Branch, added that the company is also participating in realizing BUMN CSR programs to accelerate economic recovery for communities and MSMEs, particularly in West Java, which were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. "We are expanding partnership financing for MSMEs while continuing other partnership programs, including strengthening environmental support," he explained.
Puspita Dewi, Head of Jamkrindo's VI Surabaya Region, shared that her team also planted avocado, mango, and orange trees in Tuban. These fruit trees were chosen after receiving input from the local government to ensure they would provide economic benefits to the local community.
"In terms of tree types, the Tuban Regent, through the Environmental Agency, recommended planting species that would benefit the community and suit the soil conditions, which is why we chose mango, orange, and avocado," she said.
There were three locations for tree planting in Tuban, including Sugiharjo Village, Boto Village, and Tahulu Village, with a total of 1,500 tree seedlings provided. Similar to Garut, these villages in Tuban had also been affected by natural disasters, making the planting of productive trees beneficial for the long-term welfare of the local residents.