Preventing Abrasion on Ciliwung River, Anies Supports Kopassus to Plant Vetiver

Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan attended the ceremony of Nyepi 1942 or The Day of Silence together with interfaith leaders and TNI Kopassus at TNI Kopassus Tennis Field, Cijantung, East Jakarta, on Sunday (2/16).

This vetiver planting becomes a symbol that we need to protect the environment around the rivers

In this ceremony, participants also planted 3,000 vetiver plants (Chrysopogon zizanioides) along Ciliwung River that passes through the Kopassus Headquarters.

Anies appreciated Kopassus General Commander of Maj. Gen. I Nyoman Cantiasa for initiating this vetiver planting as his concern for the environment.

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"Thank you for Kopassus General Commander's consistency in taking care of the plants, not only for today, but for all this time for saving and developing the natural ecosystem around this headquarters," he said after planting vetiver plants as quoted from Jakarta PPID's Press Conference.

He hopes this activity can raise people's awareness about the importance of maintaining river's ecosystem. Moreover, there are many rivers across Jakarta.

"There are 13 natural rivers across Jakarta, it means we need to maintain the river ecosystem. This vetiver planting becomes a symbol that we need to protect the environment around the rivers," he asserted.

Meanwhile, Kopassus General Commander of Maj. Gen. I Nyoman Cantiasa who also acted as the committee leader of Nyepi 2020 event explained, his side expected this event to strengthen relationship between Hindus people in Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek). Besides, he assessed that vetiver plants is suitable for planting to resist soil abrasion due to river flow.

"Vetiver has a quite long root that can bind the soil especially in Ciliwung River. Coincidentally, Kopassus headquarters is crossed by the river for around 5 kilometers. Thus, as the Jakartans, we should cooperate to save the environment," he stated.