UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta commemorated World Environment Day which fell on June 5 by pouring 1,000 liters of eco-enzyme into UNS Lake. This eco-enzyme liquid is prepared for water purification efforts at UNS Lake.
The Chairman of the Commemoration Committee for World Environment Day 2023 at UNS, Prof. Dr. Drs. Pranoto, M.Sc., said the Eco-Enzyme Festival was initiated by UI GreenMetric. “There are 22 campuses including UNS participating in this festival. A total of 22 campuses are ready to clean up rivers or lakes on their respective campuses,” Prof. Pranoto explained on the sidelines of the Eco-Enzyme Festival at UNS Lake Court, Monday (5/6/2023).
At UNS, then Prof. Pranoto cleaned the lake on May 31 yesterday. Then coinciding with World Environment Day, UNS cleared the lake by pouring 1,000 liters of eco-enzyme into UNS Lake.
“This eco-enzyme was made by lecturers and students of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) UNS from fermented vegetable and fruit waste. One of its functions is as a purifier. Besides that, eco-enzymes also function as pest killers, fertilizers and carbolic acid,” Prof. Pranoto added.
The process of purifying the lake, which is currently polluted by heavy metals, into hazardous and toxic materials or often abbreviated as B3, will be carried out in stages.
“One liter of eco-enzyme is for 1 m³. It means around 18,000 liters of eco-enzyme are needed because it is adjusted to the area of UNS Lake. That’s all the contribution from FMIPA. Later we will ask students to make more eco-enzyme. We hope that UNS can increase its ranking by clearing this lake,” he added.
Prof. Pranoto hopes that UNS will no longer use deep groundwater to water plants. But make use of surface water or lake water that has been cleared for watering plants. This is done so that the availability of groundwater in the long term is not used up.
Meanwhile, representing the Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho,the Interim Vice Rector for Research and Innovation UNS, Prof. Dr. Kuncoro Diharjo in his speech said that the theme of the Eco-Enzyme Festival was very interesting. This festival can be a platform to raise public awareness about the importance of environmental preservation.
“This festival can encourage the use of enzymes as an environmentally friendly alternative to replace harmful chemicals in everyday life, such as household cleaners, detergents or fertilizers. The conveyed messages can promote the benefits of using enzymes and how to use them properly, ” Prof. Kuncoro explained.
The Eco-Enzyme Festival can educate the public about the dangers of using hazardous chemicals, such as pesticides and industrial chemicals. The message of this festival should emphasize the importance of recycling and reducing waste. Communities can be encouraged to reduce the use of single-use plastics, optimize the use of resources, and sort waste properly.
The message of environmental preservation associated with this festival can remind the public that the natural environment is a valuable heritage that must be preserved for future generations. Through education and awareness, it is hoped that the community will be more concerned and responsible for preserving the environment.
“The Eco-Enzyme Festival can encourage cooperation between the community, government and the business sector in efforts to preserve the environment. The conveyed message must invite all parties to work together in facing environmental challenges and pushing for sustainable solutions.
On this day, UNS shows its concern for the environment by sprinkling 1,000 liters of eco enzyme in the UNS lake, with the hope of making the lake water clearer, suppressing pollutants in the lake water, and helping the proliferation of microorganisms in the lake,” Prof. Kuncoro concluded. Humas UNS