RRI.CO.ID, Surakarta - Vice Minister of Forestry, Rohmat Marzuki, encourages the strengthening of orchid habitat protection and the responsible development of cultivation thru the momentum of the Solo Orchid Festival 2026. On that occasion, the Ministry of Forestry also handed over 1,000 plant seedlings to the community and plant enthusiast communities as a form of support for the greening movement and biodiversity conservation.

He said that the Solo Orchid Festival is proof that conservation can go hand in hand with education, innovation, community economic development, tourism, and cultural preservation.

"This orchid festival is a collaboration between forest conservation, education, cultivation innovation, tourism, culture, and the improvement of community economy. Conservation and utilization do not need to be opposed, but should be collaborated so that both can go hand in hand," Rohmat said in a written statement, Sunday, July 19, 2026.

He explained that around 70 percent of Indonesian orchid species come from forest areas. Therefore, the protection of natural habitats becomes an important factor in preserving Indonesia's flora.

"In addition to maintaining populations in their habitats, the Ministry of Forestry also continues to promote cultivation outside forest areas, the reintroduction of species to their natural habitats, and the responsible use of genetic resources to support community welfare," he said.

At the end of his speech, Rohmat appreciated the organization of the Solo Orchid Festival 2026. He hopes that the event can strengthen the orchid community network, foster innovation, enhance commitment to the preservation of orchids in nature, and simultaneously provide balanced economic and ecological benefits.