Hundreds of students from SMA Al Kahfi, Bogor, West Java were given education on marine life and invited to plant 1,000 mangrove seedlings at the Marine Cultivation and Conservation Center (PBKL) on Tidung Kecil Island, Tidung Island, South Seribu Islands.

We want them (students) to get to know the beauty of their own natural environment

Seribu Islands Maritime, Agriculture, and Food Security Sub-agency Head, Debi Lidya expressed this activity is the result of collaboration with the Al Kahfi Foundation, Bogor in the framework of researching scientific work of 242 students consisting of 110 boys and 132 girls.

"We deployed six conservation technical officers to accompany students around PBKL, introducing whale skeletons, turtle marine life to nemo fish," she expressed, Thursday (5/25).

Besides being introduced to marine life, hundreds of students were also invited to plant 1,000 mangrove seedlings in a bid to protect the coast from abrasion and erosion. Those students looked very enthusiastic and happy to get new knowledge given directly in the field.

"We want them (students) to get to know the beauty of their own natural environment, love, and preserve the rich marine life in Seribu Islands," she explained.

Asyifa (17), a student of SMA Al Kahfi admitted she was happy to visit the marine conservation on Tidung Island. For her, it was a valuable experience and made her realize how important it is to protect the marine ecosystem.

"We got a lot of knowledge. We were taken on a tour of the museum, then to a turtle hatchery and planting mangrove seedlings," she stated.