UNS — Forestry Education and Training Technical Management Unit (UPT PPK) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, launches and inaugurates a Community for Fire Security (MPA) Singo Serang. The community aims to prevent and as a countermeasure for forest and land fires, especially in the Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) Gunung Bromo UNS. The inauguration ceremony takes place on Friday (17/9/2021) in KHDTK Gunung Bromo, Mojogedang Sub-District, Karanganyar.
The ceremony was attended by the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Affairs UNS, Prof. Kuncoro Diharjo, the Head of Forestry Service Region X Surakarta Office (CDK), Deputy Head of Perum Perhutani KPH Surakarta, Representative of Karanganyar Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Gedong Village Chief, Delingan Village Chief, and Sewurejo Village Chief. The inauguration was marked with the MPA Singo Serang nameplate curtain opening at KHDTK Gunung Bromo by Prof. Kuncoro Diharjo.
In his welcoming remark, Dwi Priyo Ariyanto, Ph.D., as the Chair of UPT PPK UNS, states certain matters must be observed in forestry management. “One of them is forest farmers. Here we have three Forest Farmer Groups (KPH), namely, Putri Serang, Bromo Lestari, and Wonosewu,” he explains.
Further, he mentioned that the MPA was established on 30 June 2021 but just got inaugurated and launched today. “This MPA will act as the representative of the local volunteers and forest farming communities,” he added.
Meanwhile, Prof. Kuncoro highly appreciates the establishment of the MPA. “This will be an initial step in fire prevention because, in 2019, we witnessed forest fire here. MPA will be the first to act because such incidents need fast action. I appreciate your concern in preserving the Gunung Bromo forest,” said Prof. Kuncoro. He also wishes that there would be a Karhutla post at KHDTK. Moreover, by preserving the Gunung Bromo forest, the forest can be passed to the next generation.
The Chief of CDK X Surakarta, Misbachul Munir, M.Si., also expresses his happiness on the UNS commitment to maintaining the forest. “We are proud of UNS efforts to establish MPA, which aims to prevent forest fire and preserve the environment. Hopefully, this collaboration with numerous parties can sustain for a long time. Sustainable forest equals prosperous community,” said Misbachul.
After the inauguration ceremony, there will be coordination for the MPA Singo Serang to carry out their duties for monitoring forest and land fire in KHDTK Gunung Bromo UNS. The development of MPA has become one of the crucial points in forest area management in Indonesia.
The establishment of MPA is based on Environment and Forestry Ministerial Decree No.P.32/MenLHK-II/Setjen/Kum.1/3/2016 regarding Forest and Land Fire Management, and Perdirjen PPI KLHK No.P.3/PPI/SET/KUM.1/1/2018 regarding the Establishment and Development of PPA. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti