Remediasi: A Community Service on Pramuka Island by HMTL ITB
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id - The climate change issue is now becoming a global issue that needs to be considered. This issue causes coral degradation in the sea. The increase in seawater temperature is also causing coral bleaching and ocean acidification.
Seawater acidity has dreadful effects on coral growth. Excessive exploitation and the wrong picking technique have worsened the condition. Recently, the Environmental Engineering Student Association (HMTL) ITB conducted an event entitled "Remediasi" at the coral transplantation location on Pramuka Island, Kepulauan Seribu.
A total of 50 students were involved in this action, which was also part of the HMTL ITB Committee for the 2022/2023 period closing agenda. There were multiple activities during the 2-day agenda.
First, two-way interactive dialogue between the students and local people. The students gave some knowledge, and the local people gave some impressions about coastal life. Thus, the students can give them advice regarding the most suitable waste management in their area.
Moreover, the students introduced Takakura Composting, an easy-to-do composting method that recycles organic waste from the kitchen. There were 3 units of composters given to the community. "We explain how to use it, how organic waste is put in, what the dosage is like, and so on," Andi, the Chief of the HMTL ITB Committee for the 2022/2023 period, explained.
Furthermore, the students cleaned up the coastal area as well. River Clean Up joined by providing cleaning tools. The community was involved to gain awareness of the importance of maintaining cleanliness. The collected trash will be separated by its type to simplify the process.
Installing artificial structures, creating coral parks, and gathering coral kernels for planting are the final steps in coral restoration. There were more than 14 baby corals planted. The restoration effort is associated with Smiling Coral Indonesia, a non-profit organisation engaged in marine and coastal conservation.
Andi hopes their action has benefits and becomes a trigger for the community. Pramuka Island will always be appealing if people and tourists can take care of the coral and environment.
"Hopefully, what we did can be unforgettable memories and will be implemented, not only in HMTL but also for the people and community in general," he added.
Reporter: Muh. Umar Thoriq (Teknik Pangan, 2019)
Translator: Hanifa Juliana (Perencanaan Wilayah dan Kota, 2020)
Editor: Anggi Nurdiani (Manajemen, 2021)
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