Green events are sprouting like mushrooms throughout the capital, as many institutions hold events to promote environmental conservation and protection.

Cigarette producer PT HM Sampoerna (Sampoerna) held its My Green City Expo on Saturday and Sunday in the Keong Mas parking lot of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in East Jakarta.

Guests at the event could browse the variety of plants and trees spread out over 12 stalls.

"With this exposition, we want to encourage people to start planting trees as well as raise their awareness on the importance of separating their trash," Sampoerna's Bambang Tri Prasojo said.

"We will be giving out 2,000 potted trees to visitors, so they can plant a tree in the stall they consider the most attractive, with a prize going to the stall that receives the most trees," he added.

Despite Sampoerna's hopes, more visitors were seen crowding the main stage to get a glimpse of local bands performing than touring the plant stalls.

Dewi, a resident of Pinang Ranti, East Jakarta, said she stopped by the stalls to pick up some cacti.

"I like plants and I decided to buy some cacti because they only cost Rp 5,000 per pot," she said.

The Jakarta Society Reforms Organization held its two-day seminar recently, with the participation of representatives from 10 junior high schools in Central and East Jakarta, as well of environmental activists and those in the private sector.

Imam Prasojo, a sociologist from the University of Indonesia and member of LPMJ, said green movements, including those concerned with waste management, should involve the city administration more.

"The green movement needs policy support from the administration, in the form of bylaws that will encourage people to go green. Unfortunately, city agencies too often get trapped in their own bureaucracies," he added.

As an example, Imam cited one neighborhood in a slum area in Muara Kapuk, North Jakarta, that had begun to process waste into fertilizer, only to encounter difficulty in market their product.

"Kapuk residents offered the fertilizer to the park agency, but agency officials said they would first have to prepare an official bid. I think we all know they won't be winning that competition," Imam said.

If a city bylaw existed allowing the park agency to set aside funds for fertilizer made by neighborhoods without a bidding process, Kapuk residents might be more motivated to manage their waste, he added.

Meanwhile, along the Kramat Sention River, the Central Jakarta administration held its clear river program and fishing competition.

As no fish actually live in the river, the organizing committee introduced some 500 kilograms of fresh catfish, placing colorful ribbons on some of the creatures.

Participants who reeled in a ribboned fish received various prizes, including a television, a fan, a mobile phone and a refrigerator.

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