Lotus is ornamental plant, economically valued, not weeds: Lotus Community

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Lotus Community hold a meeting at the South Kalimantan Bureau of Antaranews Agency in Banjarmasin. (Antaranews Kalsel/Hasan Z)

The Banjarmasin Lotus Community chaired by Nurul Aulia Badar held their meeting here last Saturday to make their program and action plant. They agreed to declare that lotus is not a weed, but an ornamental plant with an economic value.


As many as 23 of its members who attended the meeting agreed that lotus must be protected and need to be developed widely among the people.

"Lotus is not only beautiful and become an ornamental plant, but its fruit could be made as snack, its flower stalk as vegetable, thus lotus has an economic value," said Akhmat Arifin, one of the community member.

He gave example that in various area, such as in Amuntai, a number of cake made of lotus as its material, such as wulatih (similar to popcorn).

While Mohammad Ary, who is a patron in the organization, stated it is time for products made of lotus to present in various outlets or or souvenir shop to give a different nuances for people coming to this area. The shop maybe present at the Syamsudin Noor Airport if needed.

For the economic value, he said, its worth to be given a more serious attention, while to arouse love for lotus the organization need to hold a cake made from lotus competition or a seminar or a photography contest.

If people agree that lotus is a beneficial plant, lotus in nature should be maintained, an empty land to be planted with it to beautify the city or an area, and to take its benefit for vegetable and cakes.

The organization planned to hold a mass lotus planting in the near future, including at two universities, University of Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) and State Islamic University (UIN) of Antasari Banjarmasin.