UNDIP, Ungaran (December 11, 2025) – Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), in collaboration with PT Pertamina (Persero) through the Pertamina Foundation, held the Kick-Off of the Sustainable Forest Planting Program at the Wanadipa Forest Area with Special Purpose (Kawasan Hutan Dengan Tujuan Khusus / KHDTK), in Susukan Village, East Ungaran. A total of 48,000 trees were planted across 48 hectares as a concrete effort to strengthen environmental conservation in the upper Babon Watershed (DAS Babon) while supporting forestry research and community empowerment.
The event was attended by the Independent Commissioner of PT Pertamina (Persero), Mayjend (Purn) Condro Kirono; President Director of Pertamina Foundation, Agus Mashud S. Asngari and his team; UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si.; Vice Rector IV for Research, Innovation, Collaboration, and Public Communication, Wijayanto, S.IP., M.Si., Ph.D.; Head of UNDIP’s Planning and Development Agency Prof. Dr. Ir. Purwanto, DEA.; Head of KHDTK Wanadipa, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Puryono KS, MP.; representatives of local government; and local farmer groups.
In his remarks, UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si. reaffirmed UNDIP’s commitment to environmental sustainability. He explained that UNDIP has implemented various strategic programs, including the construction of 1,000 infiltration wells in collaboration with the Semarang City Government, the UNDIP Zero Waste initiative, which ensures all campus waste is managed independently, and UNDIP’s second-place ranking in the UI GreenMetric ranking for five consecutive years.
The Rector also emphasized the importance of protecting the upper Babon Watershed to prevent flooding in downstream areas and stressed that tree planting is not merely a greening effort, but part of a long-term commitment to environmental sustainability for future generations. “Hopefully, with the full support of the farmer groups, what we endeavor today will grow, develop, and endure, and eventually become one of the green lungs of Central Java,” he concluded.
President Director of Pertamina Foundation, Agus Mashud S. Asngari, expressed optimism about the strategic collaboration through the Sustainable Forest Program, which this year is implemented together with Universitas Diponegoro at KHDTK Wanadipa, the upper reaches of the Babon River. By planting 48,000 trees across 48 hectares, Pertamina Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting tangible climate change mitigation actions. He also highlighted that the success of this program depends greatly on forest farmer groups and women farmer groups, which will be further strengthened through the integration of multi-strata agroforestry programs with the Pertamina Foundation’s “Desa Energi Berdikari” initiative.
This collaboration is designed to develop renewable energy, support MSMEs, enhance farmers’ capacity, and connect modern agricultural products to broader markets. “We hope the presence of Pertamina Foundation will bring the greatest possible benefits to the community, improve welfare, and together safeguard the longevity of our planet,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the Independent Commissioner of PT Pertamina (Persero), Mayjend (Purn) Condro Kirono, stated that forest conservation is an urgent necessity given the increasing frequency of flooding across Indonesia, driven by environmental degradation. He stressed that forests must be regarded as a trust for future generations and called on communities to care for the trees planted today as an investment in the future.
The planting of 48,000 productive trees and hardwood species is expected not only to green the upper Babon Watershed but also to generate economic benefits for local communities through fruit harvests and the potential development of forest tourism. “Collaboration among farmer groups, local governments, academia, and Pertamina will produce stronger collective efforts and bring benefits to us all. Planting is easy, but nurturing requires patience and sincere commitment. Hopefully, within the next two years, these plants will bear fruit, and the 48,000 seedlings planted today will grow well and deliver maximum benefits,” Condro Kirono concluded.
KHDTK Wanadipa is an educational forest area of approximately 99.65 hectares, managed by UNDIP, serving as a space for research, education, conservation, and community empowerment. This tree-planting activity forms part of efforts to strengthen the ecological function of the upper watershed and improve environmental quality through soil structure restoration, erosion reduction, improved water quality, and expanded vegetation cover. For residents of Susukan Village and Mluweh Village who are members of farmer groups, the program offers economic opportunities through the use of productive plants and intensive support from UNDIP and the Pertamina Foundation.
A resident, Muhammad Samsuri (46), shared that the community has directly benefited from the program. He explained that productive plants can yield fruit for consumption and income, while hardwood species play a vital role in stabilizing soil in areas that remain vulnerable. UNDIP’s support for reforestation and forest area management has been highly appreciated by farmer groups that have managed KHDTK Wanadipa for many years.
“This planting activity provides significant benefits for the community. Here, we prioritize greening efforts as a crucial step in safeguarding environmental sustainability. UNDIP’s involvement strengthens our spirit, as UNDIP not only attends but also actively participates and provides full support for this reforestation program,” said Muhammad Samsuri.
The plant species used in this program include multi-purpose and leading species such as avocado, mango, honey jackfruit, dwarf coconut, cajuput (eucalyptus), kesambi, and nyamplung. These species were selected for their ecological value and economic potential for surrounding communities, thereby supporting the long-term sustainability of the KHDTK Wanadipa area. In line with Universitas Diponegoro’s tagline, “Noble and Valuable UNDIP”, this planting initiative is expected to generate positive impacts not only ecologically, but also economically and socio-culturally. It represents a concrete step toward strengthening the area’s function as a space for education, conservation, and community empowerment.
The Kick-Off of the Sustainable Forest Planting Program by UNDIP in collaboration with Pertamina Foundation stands as tangible evidence of synergy among higher education institutions, industry, local governments, and communities in safeguarding environmental sustainability. The program is expected to extend beyond planting to include long-term maintenance, technical assistance, academic research, and the integration of forward-looking community empowerment initiatives. This collaboration is expected to continue, fostering innovation, strengthening research, and enhancing benefits for both the environment and society. Looking ahead, numerous opportunities remain for further collaboration between UNDIP and Pertamina Foundation, particularly in developing strategic programs at KHDTK Wanadipa UNDIP. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Dhany)
