RRI.CO.ID, Bandung - The Indonesian Ministry of Environment partnered with workers to green the upper Bandung area, West Java by planting about 12,000 trees in Pasir Jambu, Bandung Regency, West Java.

Environment Minister, Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat, said the initiative reflects cross-sector cooperation to restore the environment sustainably. This effort aims to protect water absorption areas and help reduce flood threats in the Bandung Raya region.

“We are collaborating with labor unions, and nearly 12,000 trees have been planted. Hopefully, this will become a tool to continue preserving the environment so that flash floods do not happen here again,” said Minister Jumhur in Bandung on Sunday, May 10, 2026.

He said the movement is expected to become a common platform that unites different elements of society, from workers and businesspeople to the government, in greening efforts. The minister also noted that workers in Indonesia are increasingly being involved in broader national issues, including environmental protection.

“Before, there was no single umbrella that could unite us, except now under the umbrella of the movement to honor the earth or efforts to protect the environment,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

The minister added that the tree-planting campaign in Bandung Regency should inspire a national greening movement across Indonesia. “The central government will also launch a campaign inspired by our friends in the regency. Hopefully, in the near future, we will turn this into a national movement," he said.

He pointed out that Indonesia currently has about 12.4 million hectares of land that need restoration, making large-scale and sustainable reforestation essential.

“So, look at this. I think we have 12.4 million hectares of land that must be restored, and this is one effort in that direction at the national level,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bandung Regent, Dadang Supriatna, said the local administration will follow up on the initiative by involving as many as 90,000 workers in the region. He said each worker will be required to plant at least two tree seedlings around their homes as part of the greening program.

“We have agreed with all labor unions that these 90,000 workers are required to plant trees. At least two trees per person,” he said.

He said the activity is one of the steps needed to rehabilitate critical land and maintain environmental conditions. In Bandung Regency, the local administration recorded 942.68 hectares of farmland being converted into buildings over the past decade, making it increasingly important to protect catchment areas and strengthen environmental recovery in the upstream region. ***