World Water Day, Anies and Residents Planted Cluster Fig Trees at TMB Gintung
Reported by Yudha Peta Ogara | Translated by Maria Inggita
Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan and other Jakarta Government officials, together with Ciliwung Institute and local residents celebrated World Water Day by planting cluster fig (loa) trees on Ciliwung Riverbanks, TMB Gintung, Pangkalan Pakis Tanjung Barat, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, on Monday (3/22).
That tradition is the accumulation of wisdom across the time
Cluster fig trees were planted on the riverbanks because they have roots that can bind the soil thus river ecosystem can be maintained in order to avoid erosion.
In his remarks, Anies reminded participants of paradigm shift, where human existence can conquer nature with technology and science. Now due to extraordinary natural changes and destruction of nature, humans have to adapt to nature.
Anies Explains Jakarta's Strategies Towards Equitable Vaccination at C40 Mayoral Webinar"Now we have to seriously find ways to adapt to life of nature. When we talk about naturalization, it means how we live together with natural cycles, for example rivers with ups and downs, so we have to develop by following this cycle," he explained as quoted from Jakarta PPID Press Release.
He gave an example of existence TMB Gintung, a park located on the bank of Ciliwung River with its biodiversity (animals and plants). It was built in collaboration with residents and communities. This TMB is functioned as an area where in rainy season most of the area will be submerged and make river flow controlled. But in dry season, it will recede and residents can use the area for gardening or doing nature activities.
"For example, this park is the collaboration on how to use it during ups and down, becomes parking lot for water. We want this collaboration to be developed thus more activities can be done by communities who preserve the nature with support from government and government is present to ensure that nature is well preserved," he conveyed.
Existence of TMB Gintung becomes a part of preserving traditions of Jakarta residents who have been long friends with Ciliwung River, where the concept of river ups and downs have been known since Jakarta was formed.
"That tradition is the accumulation of wisdom across the time and it has value of wisdom that has been tested over time. Such as Ciliwung, which is the center of life because there is water. So this place has a very long history and in here there is wisdom across generations that must be developed. If we can build it in Jakarta, it will be an example not only in Indonesia but also in the world," he said.
