Mataram, University of Mataram –
Mataram, University of Mataram – Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mataram (Faperta Unram) celebrated its 57th anniversary by organizing community service activities in the form of planting 1,000 mangrove trees at Gerupuk Beach, Sengkol Village, Central Lombok Regency on Saturday (20/1). This activity involved students, lecturers, and related parties, including the local government and the West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police (Polda NTB).

The mangrove tree planting service was coordinated by the Head of the Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) of Unram, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sukartono, M.Agr., and was chosen as a form of contribution from Faperta Unram in maintaining the sustainability of the coastal environment. Gerupuk Beach was chosen because it is one of the strategic locations for mangrove ecosystem rehabilitation programs in the region.

In the report of the Chairperson of the Anniversary Committee, Dr. Ir. Halimah, M.Sc. stated that this activity was not only a celebration of the faculty’s anniversary, but also a tangible manifestation of Unram’s commitment to supporting environmental conservation.

“Faperta Mengabdi activity is a series of events for the 57th Anniversary of Faperta Unram. Faperta Mengabdi consists of three activities, previously we have conducted a socialization about planting seaweed which will be processed into bioethanol in Gerupuk Village and socialization about processing fishery products in Mertak Village. Followed by today we are planting mangroves in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (KEK),” Halimah explained.

Halimah explained that in this activity 1,000 mangrove trees will be planted and in the future around August it will be continued by planting another 1,000 mangrove trees. So that there will be 2,000 mangrove trees that will be planted in this Faperta Mengabdi program. This activity is a form of Unram’s contribution in supporting ecotourism in KEK Mandalika.

Furthermore, the Rector of Unram, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D. in his speech said that mangrove plants are one of the plants that are very reliable in absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and through this program as a form of mitigation to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide.

“The planting of mangrove trees is not only beneficial for humans who breathe the oxygen produced by these plants, but of course it is beneficial for the entire ecosystem. This mangrove can be a habitat for crabs and shellfish, so that later the local community can also cultivate these crabs and shellfish as a source of economic development for the people in this area,” said Prof. Bambang.

The professor of the Faculty of Agriculture also invited all attendees at that time to always be sincere in doing good and providing benefits, both to fellow humans and to the surrounding environment.

In addition, the NTB Police Chief, Inspector General. Drs. Raden Umar Faroq, S.H., M.Hum. said that this mangrove planting activity is a very positive activity in addition to agro-tourism, this is also a form of abrasion prevention around Pujut District.

“Activities like this must be continued because it invites the activeness of students and the community. This is also a form of cooperation between Unram and the NTB Police, including support from the local government,” said the NTB Police Chief.

The cooperation between Unram, the local government, the NTB Police, and the local community is realized in this program as a concrete step in encouraging the involvement of various parties in environmental conservation.

The mangrove tree planting event was attended by the Rector of Unram, the NTB Police Chief, the Dean of Faperta Unram, the Head of LPPM Unram, the Regent of Central Lombok, the Regent of West Lombok, the Head of Pujut Sub-District, the Head of Central Lombok Tourism Office, the Head of Central Lombok Environment Office, the Director of ITDC, several Village Heads in Pujut Sub-District, the academic community of Faperta Unram, and the local community.