Housing complex branches out by holding tree-planting festival

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 06/21/2006 3:38 PM  |  Jakarta

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

It was a sight to behold when thousands of residents turned out Sunday at the upmarket housing complex of Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) in Serpong, Tangerang, to mark World Environment Day.

The one-day ""Green Festival"", organized by BSD's management, was aimed at raising residents' environmental friendliness.

More than 1,500 residents calling themselves ""Tree Lover Families"" took part in the event, themed ""Make the earth green, the sky blue and protect the water.""

They rode bicycles around the complex asking residents to plant trees and be economical with water.

The organizers also invited children to take part in a coloring contest as part of efforts to communicate the importance of a healthy environment.

""This is the third campaign we've organized. The BSD wants to bring the residents and the developer together,"" BSD director Johannes said.

He said the recent natural disasters in several regions had served to remind people a balance needed to be achieved between development and conservation efforts.

There are two parks within the BSD complex.

The corporate communications manager of the complex, Dhony Rahajoe, said more than 80,000 trees were growing in the parks.

""The program is an inseparable part of the city's development program. We hope to see the BSD develop into a dynamic and environmentally friendly satellite city,"" he told The Jakarta Post.

Meanwhile, State Minister for the Environment Rachmat Witoelar, who attended the event, praised the much-needed greening program in the housing complex.

The minister also called on all housing complex developers across the country to designate green areas for the sake of residents' health, saying they should not use properties solely for commercial purposes.

Banten acting governor Ratu Atut Choisiah, who planted a tree together with the minister in the park, said the BSD's management had a history of encouraging residents to protect the environment.

""I hope that all housing complex developers across the province follow the BSD's example,"" she said.

Meanwhile, singer and environmentalist Ully Sigar Rusadi said that planting trees ""gave life to nature"", which in turn helped prevent natural disasters.

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