BANGKA -- PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk continues to demonstrate its commitment to environmental conservation through a tree-planting initiative along the buffer zone of the Romodong River in Romodong Village, Belinyu District, Bangka Regency, on Thursday (June 18, 2026).
A total of 500 tree seedlings, consisting of banyan, sugar palm, nyatoh, and belangiran species, were planted as part of the Company's commemoration of World Environment Day, organized by the North Bangka Area Division.
The activity involved various stakeholders, including the Bangka Regency Environmental Agency, the Baturusa Cerucuk Watershed Management Agency (BPDAS), the Romodong Bersatu Community Forest Farmer Group, the Belinyu Police Sector, Koramil 413-01 Belinyu, and local residents.
The tree planting focused on the river buffer zone, an area that serves an important function as a protective transition zone between land and water ecosystems and as a protected area that helps maintain ecological balance.
Ucok Toni Edward, Head of Watershed Planning and Evaluation at BPDAS Baturusa Cerucuk, said that rehabilitation of the Romodong River buffer zone is crucial due to environmental degradation caused by various activities that have placed pressure on the land.
According to him, the area has been included in the National Forest and Land Rehabilitation Plan (RHL) because it is highly vulnerable to erosion, sedimentation, and ecosystem degradation.
“What PT TIMAH has done is an excellent first step toward conserving the river buffer zone. This area plays a vital role in flood control, erosion prevention, water resource protection, and biodiversity conservation,” Ucok said.
He emphasized that the success of rehabilitation programs depends not only on the number of trees planted but also on the sustainability of maintenance efforts. Therefore, collaboration among the company, government agencies, farmer groups, and local communities is essential to ensure the trees can grow successfully.
“Conservation is not only about protection and preservation but also about sustainable utilization. Plants such as sugar palm have economic value that can support community welfare while also protecting the environment,” he added.
Meanwhile, Fifin Maliana, Junior Environmental Impact Control Specialist at the Bangka Regency Environmental Agency, expressed appreciation for PT TIMAH’s efforts to support environmental rehabilitation through reforestation activities in protected forest areas and river buffer zones.
According to her, the initiative represents an important contribution to restoring degraded land, which remains extensive in the Belinyu District.
“Based on the latest data, critical land in Belinyu District covers approximately 11,000 hectares, or about 21.5 percent of the district’s total area. Restoration cannot be achieved instantly, but activities like this are important steps toward gradually reducing the extent of degraded land,” she said.
She explained that planting trees along riverbanks is also expected to help restore natural habitats for aquatic species and improve overall environmental quality.
“We hope this initiative does not stop at planting alone but is followed by a sustainable maintenance program. The involvement of farmer groups is essential to ensuring the survival and growth of the planted trees,” she said.
Abu Bakri, Chairman of the Romodong Bersatu Community Forest Farmer Group, stated that the community warmly welcomed PT TIMAH’s greening initiative and was ready to collaborate in maintaining the planted trees.
According to him, trees play a crucial role in protecting areas that have long faced pressure from mining activities and environmental changes.
Abu Bakri also expressed hope that the reforestation program would continue and be accompanied by consistent maintenance to ensure the trees grow well.
“We strongly support this activity. If vacant land is left unmanaged, it will gradually deteriorate. Tree planting is an excellent step for the future of the environment, and it must be maintained properly so the trees can thrive and provide benefits for everyone,” he said.
Similarly, Romodong Village Head Meirfransyah expressed appreciation for PT TIMAH’s commitment to supporting the rehabilitation of degraded land in the area.
“We fully support this activity because it benefits both the environment and the community. We hope rehabilitation programs like this will continue and reach other locations that require restoration,” he said. (*)
