Amid the growing threat of coastal erosion and climate change along Yogyakarta’s southern coastline, hundreds of students, school pupils, community members, and local residents came together to plant 1,000 mangrove trees along the shores of Jangkaran, Kulon Progo, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Saturday, May 24, 2026. The event, titled “Plant Today, Protect Tomorrow”, was organized by Universitas Gadjah Mada through its Postgraduate Student Association (Himpunan Mahasiswa Pascasarjana/HMP) as a concrete expression of concern for the environmental crisis and the worsening degradation of coastal ecosystems. Approximately 250 participants from diverse backgrounds, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, senior high school pupils, environmental communities, and members of the general public, took part in this collective action. Mangroves were chosen as the focus of the initiative for their remarkable capacity to absorb blue carbon while serving as a natural barrier that protects coastlines from erosion and the broader impacts of climate change.
Norol Latifah, Chair of UGM’s Postgraduate Student Association, affirmed that the event was far more than a ceremonial tree-planting activity, it was part of a broader moral movement to build ecological awareness in society at a time when the threat of climate change is becoming increasingly undeniable. She cited the G20 report from 2020, which showed that global temperatures have already risen by approximately 1.4 degrees Celsius and could reach 3.9 degrees Celsius by the year 2100 in the absence of concrete action. “Through the small actions taken today, we hope that great impact will grow for the sustainability of our environment in the future. Protecting the environment cannot be done alone, it requires the collaboration of all elements of society,” she said.
Norol also emphasized that the activity is fully aligned with UGM’s vision of advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the active engagement of students in impactful real-world action. According to her, the initiative falls under Grade 1 of UGM’s student organization evaluation framework, particularly under the Environmental Awareness criterion, while also supporting the SDG-related Publication and Media Publication indicators. Closing her remarks, she expressed her hope that the trees planted would be cared for collectively and endure as an environmental legacy for future generations. “Our hope is that the trees planted today will be tended together and become a legacy, an environmental inheritance for the people of Kulon Progo in the future,” she said.
The Deputy Regent of Kulon Progo, Ambar Purwoko, also expressed his appreciation for the initiative taken by UGM’s postgraduate students in protecting the coastal environment. He conveyed his hope that the spirit of care demonstrated through this event would continue to inspire conservation efforts at a broader scale. “I would like to express my gratitude to Universitas Gadjah Mada for its concern, participation, and support in protecting nature. May Indonesia’s natural environment always be preserved, and may Indonesia become a nation that is sustainable with a well-maintained environment,” he said.
Support for the event also came from UGM’s Directorate of Student Affairs, represented by the Directorate’s Secretary, Musthofa Anshori, who viewed student involvement in environmental action as a tangible expression of the tridarma of higher education, particularly in the domain of community service and commitment to environmental sustainability. A range of parties contributed to the success of the event, including the Water and Air Police Unit of the DIY Regional Police (PolAirud Polda DIY), UGM Geomatics Lecturer I Made Andi Arsana, UGM Technical Cooperation Manager Nur Abdillah Siddiq, and the youth NGO Arah Pemuda Indonesia. The multi-sector involvement reflects the strength of collaboration between academia, local government, law enforcement, communities, and the public in confronting environmental challenges together.
Warm and enthusiastic responses came from both participants and local residents alike. One volunteer expressed gratitude for the existence of a meaningful space for young people to contribute directly to environmental stewardship. “We are glad that there is a platform to channel our care for nature. The desire to protect the environment can be realized through concrete actions like this mangrove planting,” they said. Warso, a resident of Jangkaran, also conveyed heartfelt thanks for the concern shown by participants toward the natural environment of their village. “Thank you for visiting and caring for the nature in our village. May this small effort bring great impact to the environment,” he said. For UGM’s Postgraduate Student Association, planting mangroves today is not merely an act of planting trees, it is an act of planting hope, so that generations to come may still have a thriving coastline and a well-preserved environment to call their own.
Author : Public Relations Himpunan Mahasiswa Pascasarjana
Editor : Naja Ganiswara Ramadhani