The Head of the Community Service Team and a lecturer from the FEST Atmospheric Science Research Group, Dr. Joko Wiratmo, M.P.,  explained that the motivation for this activity stems from the uneven public understanding of natural disasters, particularly hydrogeometeorological disasters and environmental issues. Education levels greatly influence this understanding.

"Raising environmental awareness evenly will lead to improvements in environmental conditions, which have been deteriorating over time. The younger generation must be equipped with sufficient knowledge about the Earth and the environment so that they develop a strong awareness of the environment's importance for human activities, and are motivated to contribute to building a healthy environment," he said.

He also emphasized that the public, especially the younger generation, must be informed about environmental issues affected by climate variability and change. Issues like floods, droughts, and the shortage of clean water due to disrupted hydrological cycles from reduced land, vegetation, and forest cover have become increasingly common.

"It is hoped that fostering Keluarga Sadar Lingkungan (Kadarling) can begin with the younger generation. Similar efforts have been made at the Baitul Hidayah Islamic Boarding School in Cimenyan District, Bandung. If such activities can be replicated in other areas of West Java and throughout Indonesia, it is expected that our country's environmental conditions will significantly improve," he added.

The pioneering activities on the southern slopes of Mount Manglayang took place in late July 2024, involving training attended by 70 twelfth-grade students from SMAN 24 Bandung. The training featured lectures by Prof. Endah Sulistyawati, S.Si., Ph.D. (SLST) and Dr. Dasapta Erwin Irawan, S.T., M.T., who also presented material from Dr. Nurjanna Joko Trilaksono, S.Si., M.Sc., who was unable to attend.

Following the lectures, four trees were planted in the school’s front yard, namely Angrit (Dystilium stellare Kuntze), Chinese petai (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit), Durian (Durio zibethinus L.), and Kicangkudu (Tarennoidea wallichii).

Two vice principals, Dr. Arin Tentrem Mawati, S.Pd., M.M.Pd. (Vice Principal of Public Relations) and Tresna Winarni, S.Pd., M.M.Pd. (Vice Principal of Curriculum), expressed their hopes for more information about ITB and greater opportunities for SMAN 24 graduates to be accepted at ITB. They emphasized that this activity was highly valuable and extraordinary, as not every student receives such an opportunity. The event concluded with the presentation of souvenirs and a group photo.

Reporter: M. Naufal Hafizh
Translator: Hanifa Juliana (Urban and Regional Planning, 2020)
Editor: Anggi Nurdiani (Management, 2024)