Sragen, 11 September 2020 - dr. Hj. Kusdinar Untung Yuni Sukowati, Regent of Sragen, inaugurated Plumbungan City Forest as a result of the revitalization by PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk (JAPFA). The inauguration which was also attended by Samsuri, Head of the Sragen Environment Service, Sragen Regency government officials, and Adi Purnomo, Head of Unit Feed Factory JAPFA,Sragen Unit is part of the Plumbungan City Forest Development Program initiated by JAPFA since 2018.

Adi Purnomo, Head of Unit Feed Factory JAPFA, Sragen Unit stated, "The effort to develop and manage the Plumbungan City Forest is a contribution and a manifestation of JAPFA's commitment to protecting the environment so that it remains beautiful and sustainable. We understand the importance of urban forests as green open spaces that play a role in maintaining the balance of urban ecosystems. Therefore, through this program that we have initiated, it is hoped that Plumbungan City Forest will become a conservation area as well as an educational destination that brings benefits to the community".

Departing from its concern for the importance of balancing urban ecosystems and optimizing the conditions of urban forests in terms of structuring, maintenance and management in 2018, JAPFA proposed the Plumbungan City Forest Development Program so that it can become a conservation area as well as educational tourism. This is also in line with Government Regulation no. 63 of 2002 concerning urban forest where its existence is at least 10% of the total area and functions to maintain the sustainability, harmony and balance of the urban ecosystem which includes environmental, social and cultural elements.

"The Plumbungan City Forest development and management program that has been carried out by JAPFA includes a Biodiversity Study with Sebelas Maret State University, construction of a 1,200 m2 Jogging Track, construction of toilets, establishment of an entrance plaza as a community activity center, as well as arrangement of waterways and increasing water absorption capacity," explained Rachmat Indrajaya, Corporate Affairs Director JAPFA.

In this revitalization effort, JAPFA also provides social infrastructure support by developing a Bank Sampah Kecik (Waste Bank) in Plumbungan Village as an effort to educate the public regarding waste management. Currently, the Bank Sampah Kecik has been present in Plumbungan Village where the management mechanism will be mutually agreed upon by the Plumbungan Village Apparatus and the Sragen Regency Environmental Service. With the support of JAPFA's physical and social infrastructure, hoped that the sustainability of urban forest management can continue.

In line with the aspirations of the Sragen Regency Government, JAPFA's big dream is to make Plumbungan City Forest as a Green Open Space which has two main benefits. First, urban forest as an area for biodiversity conservation as well as a water conservation area by optimizing water catchment and catchment areas. Second, making the urban forest a public area that can be optimally utilized by the people of Sragen Regency and its surroundings.

"We hope that with the current management system, the Plumbungan City Forest as a green open space can accommodate a variety of community and individual activities, such as sports and recreation, as well as having an economic impact on the surrounding residents," Adi concluded.