Promoting Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation, ARM HA IPB University Planted Trees in Banjar Regency
The Independent Volunteer Action of the Alumni Association (ARM HA) IPB University South Kalimantan branch (Kalsel) in collabor with the Regional Leadership Council of the Association of Alumni-IPB University South Kalimantan and the Environment and Forestry Service of South Kalimantan Province held disaster preparedness and mitigation activities through planting 200 productive tree seedlings in a disaster-prone area in Handil Purai Village, Beruntung Baru District, Banjar Regency, on 8/3.
The tree planting was being conducted as part of the implementation of the annual work plan of the Independent Volunteer Action of the South Kalimantan branch of the IPB University Alumni Association 2024 in the field of disaster preparedness. The Forest Plant Seed Agency (BPTH) of the South Kalimantan Environment and Forestry Service provided 200 seedlings of productive plants including kecrutan or African tulip (Spathodea campanulata), rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), tabebuya (Handroanthus chrysotrichus), and jengkol (Pithecellobium jiringa).
“As an autonomous body in the humanitarian field formed by the DPP of the IPB University Alumni Association in 2019, the Independent Volunteer Action of the IPB University Alumni Association (ARM HA) views the importance of disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts in protecting the environment and society,” said Secretary of the South Kalimantan branch of ARM HA-IPB University, Masikah Maylan Dewi.
She explained that Banjar Regency is a vulnerable area that has been affected by floods, abrasion and forest and land fires (karhutla). “Through this tree planting, we hope to provide long-term benefits for all communities around Banjar Regency,” Masikah explained.
“Apart from being an effort to increase public awareness of the importance of environmental conservation, this activity is also a valuable educational momentum related to disaster preparedness and mitigation,” said the Managing Chief of the Banjar District Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Waskita.
He hopes that through active participation and solid collaboration, Banjar Regency can become an example for other regions in environmental conservation and disaster management efforts.
The tree planting activity was attended by 200 participants and volunteers who came from various elements including the community, the Family Welfare Empowerment Team (PKK), and Handil Purai Village Cadres, staff and Sub-district Social Welfare Workers (TKSK) of Beruntung Baru, the Banjar District Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Students of the Darussalam Islamic Institute, and the Yuk Ngaji Community.
From the business world, volunteers from PT Mitra Nasional Kualitas (Minaku) and Cipta Prima Sejahtera Professional Services Cooperative (KJP) also came to contribute. In addition, there were government partners such as the Banjar Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) who supported the logistical needs of the event and held a consultation on flood preparedness and mitigation to residents. (*/Lp) (IAAS/RSL)
