By: Masayu Yulien Vinanda

Jakarta (17/08)-WWF-Indonesia has a unique way to celebrate Indonesia 64th Independence Day. The conservation organization organized “Monumen Tanah Airku” (MTA) grand ceremony in Artha Gading Mall, North Jakarta, on Monday (17/08/09) by displaying an Indonesia map-illustrated gigantic monument, formed of 64 canvas panels filled with people’s thumbprints.

The Monumen Tanah Airku (‘Tanah Airku’ literally means ‘my fatherland’) dedication was executed by laying of the last panel done by WWF-Indonesia Supervisory Board’s Chairperson Tati Darsoyo and WWF Honorary Supporter who is also a famous Indonesian musician Katon Bagaskara. Not long afterward, Katon lead the mall visitors in singing the national anthem, “Indonesia Raya” with sweet-sound voice of children of Bina Vokalia choir accompaniment.

The member of WWF-Indonesia Advisory Board Rizal Malik and the General Manager of Artha Gading Mall Djoko Mudjiono also attended the monument dedication. As a fact, the presence of other Honorary Supporters Marcel and Mischa Candrawinata as well as Jamaica Café had successfully enlivened the monumental event. 
The first panel was previously launched coinciding with UNEP World Environment Day Commemoration on 5th June 2009. In the 65m2  monument, the collaboration output between with WWF-Indonesia and Hakuhudo Indonesia, individuals voluntarily gave their two thumbprints, the green one above the mainland and the blue one above the ocean. Those thumbprints are symbols of their commitment and support for forest and marine conservation efforts.

From 64 panels, some 15000 thumbprints from 7500 participants have been collected. After all panels were all united, the map-illustrated monument were exhibited as installation of art in India atrium, Artha Gading Mall for one week starting from Tuesday (11/08) to Monday (17/08).

Hundreds of the monument’s supporters contact information were also displayed during the exhibition to show that Indonesia still has numbers of environmental fighters who are ready to commit their concern.
“The thumbprints support is an essential strategy for WWF next big plan. It’s an asset for advocacy material so that the world would put more concern about the environment,” explained Rizal Malik in the Press Conference before the ceremony. He added, “Our land and ocean are in danger. Those thumbprints represent our commitments to maintain our fatherland sustainability.”
Meanwhile, Katon Bagaskara urged public to start doing something for the country. “I want to touch everyone’s heart. Just because I happen to talk here, it doesn’t mean that I’m a hero or something. It is just because I am part of the problems too. So, let us start from the small thing, do something for our environment, for our fatherland,”  Katon said.

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