UGM Tanam Ribuan Bambu di Wanagama untuk Pelestarian Alam
UGM Tanam Ribuan Bambu di Wanagama untuk Pelestarian Alam
UGM Tanam Ribuan Bambu di Wanagama untuk Pelestarian Alam
UGM built the Bamboo Forest Nature Conservation Program in the Wanagama Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK), Gunungkidul Regency. This development is conducted in collaboration between UGM and PT Taspen (Persero) through the Community Development Program (PKBL) to create sustainable nature.
"Planting bamboo is one effort to preserve nature. Ecologically, this plant can store water and fertilize many microorganisms that grow underneath it," said Director of Wanagama, Dwiko Budi Permadi, Ph.D., at the Bamboo Forest Development Ceremony on Wednesday (4/3).
In addition to being able to store large amounts of water, bamboo also saves good carbon stocks from mitigating climate change. Additionally, bamboo has economic benefits because the stems can be used as a sturdy building material, while bamboo shoots are beneficial for the source of community food.
Faculty of Forestry UGM incipiently conceived The Wanagama Bamboo Forest Conservation activity as part of the 1,000 bamboo village movement, which became the strategic plan of the KLHK and the Bambu Lestari Foundation, especially the Yogyakarta cluster.
Taspen supported 2,300 bamboo planting seeds, which had been planted in stages to support the Wanagama Bamboo Forest Conservation activities located in the 7, 13, and 16 plot locations. In December 2019, there were 1,100 seedlings as a target of the first planting phase on an area of one hectare in which the planting location was not far from the river so that it will give the higher chances of bamboo plant life.
After completing the next stage of planting 1,100 seedlings, then there was a replanting process that used the remaining 100 seedlings. Besides, UGM also applied bamboo infusion technology to anticipate water shortages in the dry season.
"We plan to develop The Wanagama bamboo forest demonstration plot which formerly has a total area of 2 ha into 10 ha and will profoundly manage it into a bamboo ecosystem that has many benefits," he explained.
He hopes in the next 5-10 years bamboo industry will grow in rural areas and village institutions in which local governments can contribute to the expansion of bamboo forests in Yogyakarta. In line with that, UGM will also strive to continue to develop technology that can increase the economic value of bamboo.
UGM Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng, D.Eng, IPU., ASEAN Eng., gave appreciation to all those who supported the bamboo forest development program. According to the Chancellor, the selection of bamboo as a preserved plant mainly in the Wanagama region is very appropriate because it will bring a good impact on the natural environment and the people who live in it.
"We have to take care of it as well as possible. Thus, we can maintain the lives of humankind supported by the preservation of forests," said the Chancellor.
The road map of the Wanagama Bamboo Forest Conservation Program runs for ten years. It includes four phases which contain the demonstration plot of a bamboo plantation forest (including production and conservation), the expansion of the Yogyakarta Bamboo forest cluster, the development of the bamboo processing industry, and finally, monitoring bamboo governance and its integration with downstream sectors.
"Hopefully, the development of bamboo in Wanagama will later be replicated and sustainable in the community. Moreover, it will benefit MSMEs with bamboo-based products," said Deputy Regent of Gunungkidul, Immawan Wahyudi.
Author: Gloria
Photo: Vino
Translator: Natasa A