Universitas Padjadjaran Government Science Students Invite People to Reforestation and Environmental Maintenance

A healthy ecosystem is one of the pillars of sustainable life. However, many human activities are often fatal to the existence of these ecosystems. One of them is the forest fire that occurred in Gunung Geulis, which was caused by the dry season and human activities.

In response to this event, the Social Ministry of the Student Government Association of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran organized a work program with the theme “Sewagati.” The word comes from Sanskrit which means “devotion.” This program has been implemented since three years ago. This activity was carried out in the form of planting 50 types of tree seedlings, such as mahogany trees and manglid trees.

This year, Sewagati took the form of reforesting the Gunung Geulis forest on Sunday (29/10/2023) in Jatimukti Village. The activity also empowered the village residents to participate. This aims to ensure that the Jatimukti Village residents can understand and care about the condition of the surrounding environment. Thus, it is hoped that they can avoid things that have the potential to damage the environment.

Sewagati 2023 activities carry the jargon #MariHijaukanKembali. This departed from the community’s unrest over the Mount Geulis fire incident.

In their activities, students of Unpad Government Studies collaborated with the Gunung Geulis Farmers Communication Forum. This is because the activities carried out are not only reforestation but also sustainable maintenance efforts.

The Sewagati program is actually in accordance with one of the principles of the Tridharma of Higher Education in the form of social service. This activity was also attended by the Chairman of the Gunung Geulis Farmers Communication Forum, Saepudin, and several Sumedang media partners.

This activity also received a positive response from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) as an “environmental culture” activity, a good culture in appreciating nature by preserving nature.

Saepudin expressed his appreciation for the program run by the Unpad Government Studies students. This is because according to him, the community has paid less attention to environmental sustainability.

“Now, with this student activity, we hope that it will become an embryo for other communities, especially those who are under the stands or under the hills, to care and want to engage in greening efforts. However, it should be underlined that it is not only ceremonial to plant trees and then take pictures. Furthermore, it should be left alone, there must be efforts to maintain or care for trees. Especially now that it is the dry season, the water intake must be maintained,” he said.

The Sewagati program initiated by the Unpad Government Studies Student Association can be an inspiration for other activities, both by students and the community, to be more sensitive in improving the condition of the ecosystem. Because the sustainability of future life is influenced by current environmental conditions.

Writer: Maria Imanuella Dewi Sekartaji
Translator: Jauza Maryam Mumtazah