Indonesian Conservation
By: Aristya Tri Rahayu, Afifi Rahmadetiassani, Rizki Mohfar
A fine drizzle greeted the foot of Mount Gede Pangrango when we arrived at Genteng Hamlet, Ambarjaya Village, Sukabumi Regency, West Java. There, in a simple house at the foot of the mountain, Kang Dede greeted us with a broad smile and open arms.
Dede Khoerudin—familiarly known as Kang Dede—is a tofu seller at the Bogor city market. Every day, before dawn, he prepares to transport his wares to the market. Around eight or nine in the morning, he returns home, bringing home the earnings from his hard work.
But Kang Dede's activities don't stop there. He is also the head of the village public cemetery (TPU). Once a month, he clears the cemetery area of weeds and undergrowth. Now, since August 2024, Kang Dede's daily activities have expanded by another factor: planting trees to protect his homeland.
"If we don't replant, our land will eventually run out. Water will become increasingly scarce," he said, pointing to the once-barren slopes, now starting to turn green.
Headwaters of the Four Rivers
Ambarjaya Village is located in a crucial landscape: the headwaters of four major river basins in West Java: the Cimandiri, Citarum, Cisadane, and Ciliwung. From the Mount Gede Pangrango landscape, water flows supplying more than 213 billion liters per year, which supports nearly 30 million people, including residents of Jakarta.
However, pressure on this area continues to increase. Forest areas are shrinking due to the expansion of settlements and seasonal agriculture. Without strong tree roots, the soil becomes vulnerable to erosion. Water has difficulty in infiltrating, and disasters such as landslides and floods are becoming more frequent.
Data from Konservasi Indonesia (KI) in 2024 showed that the Cimandiri watershed was the most critical area, with 42,5 percent of the land damaged. This was followed by the Citarum watershed (23,2%), the Cisadane (14,6%), and the Ciliwung (8,3%). This is a stark warning that the upstream landscape must be restored immediately.
From Tofu to Seed
Through the watershed ecosystem restoration program, Kang Dede has now taken on a new role: restoration farmer. He operates a nursery established by KI. Every day, he cares for the tree seedlings—from seedbed to planting.
"Before, I only knew how to make tofu," she said with a smile. "Now I can mix the growing medium, graft the shoots, and select the best seeds."
In the half-hectare nursery, more than 14.473 seedlings have been produced until February 2025. The seedlings will be planted in a 30-hectare restoration area, with tree species such as ki sireum, puspa, manglid, tangkalak, ganitri, and durian.
These trees are not only ecologically valuable but also economically valuable. Some fertilize the soil, some prevent landslides, and some produce fruit that can be used by local residents.
Interestingly, Kang Dede also transformed a 1,5 hectare cemetery plot that was previously abandoned into a tree planting area.
"There used to be a lot of weeds here. After discussions with village leaders, we agreed to plant trees. This isn't for me personally, but for the village," he said.
Learning from Nature
Kang Dede wasn't alone. He worked alongside Suhaemi, better known as Kang Irek. This man had previously worked at Perum Perhutani and was already familiar with the world of forestry. However, when he joined the restoration program, he experienced a different approach.
"I used to plant damar trees. But I wondered, why only damar trees? Why aren't there any fruit trees that the residents can use?" he said.
The question was answered when he saw the concept of agroforestry being applied: a combination of woody trees with productive crops such as avocado, petai, and nutmeg.
"I learned a lot here. Every tree has a function: some are for the soil, some are for water, and some are for the economy," he said.
More than just planting, Kang Irek is also active in mutual cooperation, leading residents in digging holes, caring for seedlings, and maintaining the planting area.
"If I work alone, it might not even take a month to finish. But if everyone gets involved, it's quick and the results are noticeable," he said, pointing to the area now starting to turn green.
Villages That Grow Together
The restoration program has transformed not only the natural landscape but also the social landscape. Kang Dede, who previously only knew a handful of residents, now feels closer to many of his neighbors.
"I didn't know many of the Ambarjaya residents before. Now, because I often meet them at the nursery or restoration site, I've become more friends," he said.
And now, both of them have the same dream: to make Ambarjaya a fruit village, a village that is not only ecologically green, but also socially and economically fertile.
"In five years, I want to see these trees bearing abundant fruit. That's the result of our hard work," Kang Dede said hopefully.
"And hopefully this program will spread to other places," added Kang Irek. "If we can take care of nature, nature will surely take care of us."
Under the Ambarjaya sky, amidst the dew and drizzle that still falls from Mount Gede, they continue to plant, tree by tree, hope by hope.
