Living in a country with the nickname Mega-biodiversity Country - meaning a country with high biodiversity wealth - should make us aware of the importance of biodiversity as a supporting component of our human survival. There are so many benefits that we get from the existence of biodiversity, namely as a source of food, a source of inspiration, national identity, and its important role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem and providing clean air and water. That is why, biodiversity must be preserved, so that our lives and all living things on this Earth will prosper, now and in the future.

In order to celebrate World Wildlife Day on March 3 and Earth Day on April 22, three elementary schools located in three villages, namely Suo-suo Village, Muara Sekalo, and Kelumpang Jaya Hamlet, Muara Tebo Regency, Jambi, organized tree planting activities as an effort to rehabilitate land in the three villages, while preserving biodiversity there.

A total of 1,200 seedlings of local fruit trees and timber trees were planted at priority points, such as critical land or unproductive land. Planting was also done in the upper reaches of rivers to support the improvement of water quality, as well as the prevention of disasters such as floods and droughts.

In its implementation, all residents ranging from students, teachers, to the principal actively participated in planting trees around the school. Not only schools, this tree planting initiative also involved the Tebo Regency Education Office, the relevant village sub-districts, the Restoration Company, village officials, and local residents.

The implementation of this tree planting action is part of a long commitment process. The establishment of tree nurseries in the three elementary schools in early 2019 was the first step in the schools' commitment to nurture and conserve biodiversity. Not just a place to nurture plants so that they are ready to be planted in the open field, the school's tree nursery is also a place and medium for students to learn, so that they can recognize, know the benefits, and foster a sense of care and love for biodiversity. The involvement of students in preserving the biodiversity is very important, because they are the next generation and future leaders.

This tree planting action carried out in three villages in Muara Tebo District, Jambi is not the end of the existing commitment, but a new momentum towards a stronger commitment to preserve and maintain the rich biodiversity that we have.

This activity is supported by the Michelin Foundation as part of a multi-year project for ecosystem protection in Jambi.

Watch the excitement of the tree planting in three villages in the following video!