NU Planology students plant trees upstream Riam Kanan Dam

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Urban and Regional Planning (Planology) Student Association of the Nahdlatul Ulama University, South Kalimantan, planted trees on the upstream part of Riam Kanan Dam, Banjar District, to commemorate the 2022 World Water Day. 

The Friday-Sunday (March 11-13) action were centered at Tiwingan Baru Village, with the theme "Restore the Earth, Planting, and Saving Groundwater". 

Head of the association Arman said their actions were effort to help government restoring water catchment area (DTA) of Riam Kanan, which partly is in critical condition.

One thousand trees of various types, including coffee, were planted in the hills. They collaborated with Pena Hijau Indonesia, Tunas Muda Tiwingan Forest Farmers Group, Indonesian Farmers Union (SPI) and supported by privates sectors, such as Biji Kopi, Kopi Aranio, PDAM Bandarmasih, PDAM Intan Banjar, and PT Amanah.

Chairman of forest farmers Arianto appreciated NU students for planting trees in Riam Kanan reservoir area and Bukit Batas attraction area. 

"Besides being able to restore water catchment areas, planting fruit and coffee trees can improve the economy of rural communities," he said.

The South Kalimantan Environment Agency noted Martapura River is in the sub-watershed with Riam Kanan and Riam Kiwa  rivers upstream. Of the 178,179 hectares of Riam Kanan catchment area, some 23,815 ha are in critical condition, 47,768 ha are moderately critical, and 67,491 ha or 37.88 percent are very critical. 

In addition to planting trees, they provided education about environmental restoration, coffe cultivation and business to students and villages. 

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