Professor Isnansetyo received the award along with two other UGM lecturers: Dr. Rachma Wikandari from the UGM Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP UGM) and Professor Ika Dewi Ana from the UGM Faculty of Dentistry (FKG UGM).

Professor Isnansetyo won the Best Innovation Award for his innovation on a waste-free process for utilizing brown seaweed to control fish and shrimp disease and produce biofertilizers. 

“This innovation is inspired by Indonesia’s rich marine resources, which researchers or industries have not widely explored,” he told reporters on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.

According to him, brown seaweed (Phaeophyceae) contains a high alginate content and fucoidan. 

“Alginates can be applied in medicine, industry, food, feed, and fisheries,” he explained.

His research uses alginate and fucoidan compounds from brown seaweed for aquaculture. 

As a lecturer in the Department of Fisheries, Professor Isnansetyo uses alginates to enhance fish and shrimp immunity, while fucoidan improves fish vaccine effectiveness. 

“This research has produced several immunostimulant formulations based on alginate and fucoidan,” he said.

He hopes the research outcomes can be applied in the community by industries and fish farmers. 

The veterinary pharmaceutical industry can produce fish vaccines with adjuvants like fucoidan and immunostimulants. 

“These vaccines have been distributed to marine fish farmers to enhance fish immunity. We also collaborate with companies to commercialize these products,” he explained.

In the future, he hopes to continue the research to achieve more perfect results. 

One of his efforts is to upgrade the technology used to create vaccines and immunostimulants. 

Professor Isnansetyo revealed that his team had started developing nanoparticles in the form of nano-alginates and nanofucoidan. 

By creating nanoparticles, the effectiveness of the formulated products is expected to increase. 

“We aim to improve the quantity and quality of fishery production as a protein source to enhance public nutrition and health,” he said.

He acknowledged that his research utilizing brown seaweed is based on the concept of a zero-waste process. 

He is grateful for receiving the award for his research on brown seaweed utilization. 

In addition to the Hitachi Award, Professor Isnansetyo also received the 2023 Academic Leader in Maritime Affairs Award from the Directorate General of Higher Education. 

“I am proud to be part of UGM, as this award also reflects UGM’s nationally and internationally recognized reputation,” he added.

Author: Tiefany

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Lintang

Photographs by: Firsto & Antara

Artikel UGM Researcher Develops Fish and Shrimp Immunostimulants from Brown Seaweed pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This program culminated in the Riuk Raya Moa Arts and Cultural Festival, held on Saturday (Jan. 25) at Gerdarsi Beach. The festival was the highlight of a series of cultural appreciation events aimed at promoting local arts.

Azzan Nasrullah, KKN-PPM UGM coordinator, explained that the festival aimed to preserve the culture and customs of Moa Island, particularly in Klis and Nyama. In addition to protecting the culture, the festival aimed to introduce Moa Island to a broader audience and attract tourists. 

“This festival is not just for the KKN-PPM UGM students but for the people of Klis and Nyama. We are proud and happy to be part of this grand event,” Nasrullah stated in a press release on Thursday (Feb. 6).

He emphasized Moa Island’s vast potential, especially in Klis and Nyama, from food to local customs. 

The event included various activities such as traditional dance performances by elders and students, MSME exhibitions, poetry readings, storytelling, song performances, and a drawing contest. 

“All these programs have been a valuable experience for UGM participants and the people of Moa Island. The unique and distinctive customs and traditions must be preserved indefinitely,” he added.

Fadli Kasim, the field supervisor for KKN-PPM MA008, also expressed pride in the festival’s success. He appreciated the involvement of all community elements, from the people of Moa Island to the local government, in making the Riuk Raya Moa Festival successful.

“The KKN-PPM students have become emotionally connected with the community, showing deep care for local wisdom. Alhamdulillah,” he said.

Agustinus L. Kilikily, Deputy Regent of Southwest Maluku, commended the students for helping preserve the region’s arts and culture while enhancing local human resources. 

He noted that the Riuk Raya Moa Festival, part of the team program, is a medium for exploring and promoting cultural values rich in local wisdom. 

“Indonesia is a country of diverse cultures, inherited from our ancestors, but our younger generation often neglects this heritage. It’s essential to raise awareness of the importance of cultural preservation,” Kilikily said.

He hoped that the festival would inspire the government and the community to work together to preserve the culture of Southwest Maluku. 

He also suggested that the festival become an official and continuous agenda. 

“The Education and Culture Department should act as a facilitator in preserving culture and traditions to prevent them from disappearing,” he added.

Author: Tiefany 

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Students Hold Riuk Raya Moa Cultural Festival in Southwest Maluku pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This is exemplified by the achievements of two of its alumni, Gerry Utama and Dr. Nugroho Imam Setiawan, who successfully explored Antarctica for international research missions.

UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia praised the two researchers’ accomplishments during a meeting on Monday (Feb. 2). 

She believes that the work of Dr. Nugroho and Gerry, as they are commonly called, will motivate other scientists in Indonesia. 

Professor Emilia stated that their success proves that Indonesia, particularly UGM, possesses human resources that are on par with those of other developed nations. She promised to encourage UGM’s involvement in further research and policies related to Antarctica. 

“Research is always dynamic. I think there will be a need for a laboratory or an Antarctic Study Center that we can develop because there’s great potential in this field. If we can contribute positively to the nation and the world, UGM will support it,” said Professor Emilia.

Regarding the Antarctic Treaty System, which 58 countries have signed, Professor Emilia acknowledged that much coordination is still required with the Indonesian government officials. 

The Antarctic Treaty is an important instrument for a country to actively participate in extensive exploration of Antarctica. 

Although Indonesia has yet to declare its readiness to sign the Antarctic Treaty, Professor Emilia stated that UGM is always prepared to support the process. 

“We need to speak directly with the government, and we will present the good points, what UGM has already done, and what needs to be prepared,” explained the rector.

Professor Emilia highlighted that UGM’s commitment to the Antarctic Treaty is part of the university’s effort to continuously contribute to global research that directly impacts environmental sustainability and climate change. 

By supporting the participation of Indonesian students and researchers in international scientific expeditions, UGM plays a crucial role in strengthening Indonesia’s position in managing the Antarctic region. 

“We want to raise awareness about the importance of Antarctica as an area that requires serious attention from the entire international community,” she concluded.

Gerry, an alumnus of UGM’s Faculty of Geography, became the first Indonesian and ASEAN citizen to participate in the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) from February to July 2024 while pursuing his Master’s in Paleogeography at Saint Petersburg State University, Russia. 

During the expedition, Gerry researched geomorphology and paleogeography to reconstruct a new atlas of Russia’s King George Island. Gerry’s research is particularly significant in the context of global climate change, which is currently a major concern worldwide. 

“Aside from wood fossils, I also mapped moss with varying colors. This serves as an important indicator in understanding the climate dynamics in Antarctica and the world,” he emphasized.

Gerry (31), who became the youngest researcher in Indonesia’s mission to Antarctica, recounted that he and his team discovered a massive iceberg three days after the ship landed.

If reconstructed, the release of such a large iceberg from the ice sheet also indicates faster ice melt, which could disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems and pose greater threats to coastal habitats. 

“Indonesia should be more aware of this phenomenon since our country is largely composed of seas. Therefore, signing the Antarctic Treaty should be a priority,” he added.

Dr. Nugroho Imam Setiawan (43), a lecturer from the Department of Geological Engineering at the UGM Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM), participated in the Japan Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) from 2016 to 2017. 

During the expedition, he conducted research on the evolution of the Antarctic continent through the petrology study of methanol rocks, which are aged between 2.5 billion and 500 million years.

Dr. Nugroho successfully published seven international journals from his Antarctic mission, contributing to the global development of geological studies. 

Dr. Nugroho also brought home rock samples with a honeycomb structure, which he found in Antarctica, and has donated them to the UGM Biology Museum and the Bandung Geological Museum.

The first Indonesian geologist to research the Antarctic continent explained that Antarctica is a terra incognita, or land largely unknown to humans, so the research conducted there will undoubtedly provide important insights, especially in earth sciences. 

Echoing Gerry, Dr. Nugroho hopes the Indonesian government will pay more attention to natural phenomena occurring in Antarctica. 

“We must remember that Indonesia and Antarctica are not separate; we share the same summit ground. So, I believe it’s quite important for Indonesia to get involved in strategic issues like geopolitics and climate change to prepare for potential future scenarios,” he emphasized.

Author: Triya Andriyani

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel UGM Ready to Encourage Indonesia’s Participation in Antarctic Treaty pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The two professors are Professor Tri Satya Mastuti Widi, inaugurated as professor of livestock production systems, and Professor Panjono, inaugurated as professor of livestock production at Animal Science UGM.

These two animal science experts complemented each other and discussed the importance of animal science for society’s broader needs. 

In his inaugural speech, “Development of the Livestock Industry Towards a Golden Indonesia 2045,” Professor Panjono explained that the fulfillment of the meat supply as part of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program, which aims to improve the quality of education and children’s health by providing nutritious food, is crucial to supporting the program. 

“Meat contains many essential nutrients for the body, such as proteins, iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamins,” he said.

Chicken, beef, and buffalo meat primarily dominate meat consumption in Indonesia. However, unlike broiler chickens, which can meet demand due to a surplus, beef and buffalo meat still experience a deficit. 

This deficit arises from the lower production of beef and buffalo meat, which stands at 496.25 thousand tons compared to the national demand of 759.67 thousand tons.

This shortfall has been met through meat or live cattle imports. However, relying on imports is not ideal for national food independence, according to him. 

“Meeting meat demand by increasing domestic production will enhance food sovereignty and provide added value for the livestock industry,” he stated.

He further elaborated that strategic steps must be taken to develop a livestock industry that meets national needs and increases farmers’ income. 

These include improving genetic quality, applying efficient farming techniques, developing production systems, and optimizing business scales. 

“These steps must be outlined in short, medium, and long-term programs so that the goal of independently meeting national meat demand can be achieved alongside the realization of the Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision,” Professor Panjono concluded.

Similarly, Professor Tri Satya Mastuti Widi raised related issues in her inaugural speech, “Designing Sustainable Livestock Production Systems with a Holistic Approach Based on Local Wisdom.” She explained that a sustainable livestock production system could help address food security issues in Indonesia.

Professor Widi stated that food and energy availability are crucial and longstanding issues for many countries worldwide, and Indonesia is no exception. 

She explained that red meat, particularly beef, is a traditional source of animal protein in Indonesia, but there is still a gap between production and consumption. 

“Reflecting on projections of beef production and consumption in Indonesia for 2023–2027, a gap between production and consumption remains,” Professor Widi explained.

She further noted that this deficit is partly due to differences between government programs and farmers’ goals. 

Professor Widi then discussed various efforts to meet food needs, explaining that every effort to increase food production has impacts on the environment, biodiversity, animal welfare, and human health. 

Therefore, a sustainable approach that appreciates local wisdom is needed to ensure that future food production does not compromise human health, biodiversity, animal welfare, or the environment. 

“Research and development should be directed towards the contribution of agricultural/livestock production systems to sustainable development through a holistic approach that recognizes farmers’ dual objectives and related trade-offs,” she emphasized.

In her closing remarks, Professor Widi presented several ideas related to the sustainability of livestock production systems, particularly in livestock development. 

These include paying attention to local production systems and local wisdom, analyzing trade-offs and impacts in every production system’s progress, improving local production systems, land use sharing, and utilizing marginal land, as well as synergistic, comprehensive, and conducive government policies. 

She added that the success of this design requires collaboration from all stakeholders and government support to make it a reality.

Author: Leony

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel UGM Professors Discuss Livestock Industry Strategies for Golden Indonesia 2045 pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The project involved planting mangroves with the participation of the local community on Sunday (Jan. 26).

The mangrove planting initiative, part of efforts to address the impacts of climate change, was attended by Arman, a local figure from Terapung Village known as a researcher and botanist.

Both students and the community eagerly anticipated his presence as he provided direct support and technical guidance. 

“Of course, his presence is to guide us in the mangrove planting process, making it more effective and sustainable,” said Fauzan Aldi, a member of the UGM team from the Agrocomplex cluster.

Aldi explained that the UGM Agrocomplex team’s observations revealed that the mangrove condition along the coast of Terapung Village faces serious challenges and is at risk of environmental degradation. 

Although various parties have carried out mangrove planting before, many plants have not survived. 

“Many plants failed to survive due to improper methods, such as polybags being left in the plants. This caused many mangroves to fail to grow and become damaged,” Aldi explained.

For this activity, the UGM student team used a more planned approach to replace damaged mangroves and add new seedlings. The aim was to restore the coastal ecosystem and protect the area from abrasion.

This activity also aimed to raise environmental awareness among residents, particularly the younger generation. 

Children from Terapung Village who participated in the mangrove planting activity received direct education on the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems for the future. 

“We ensured that all seedlings were planted without polybags, and the planting areas were adjusted to the characteristics of the local coastal environment,” said Aldi.

Arman appreciated the efforts of the UGM students and thanked the UMB team for joining this activity. 

“This initiative will leave a lasting legacy. Five to ten years from now, the mangroves planted today will become a habitat for various marine life in Terapung Village,” said Arman.

With great optimism, Arman hopes that the mangrove planting activity will be the first step in building a community-based environmental resilience system in Terapung Village. 

He also hopes that this approach can serve as a model to be implemented in other coastal areas.

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photo by: UGM KKN-PPM Buton Team

Artikel Concrete Action to Combat Climate Change: UGM KKN Students Plant Mangroves in Central Buton pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This event takes place in two locations: at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, from Jan. 21-23, 2025, and continues in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, from Jan. 24 to Feb. 8, 2025.

16 WSU students, 6 UGM students, 3 WSU lecturers, and several UGM Biology lecturers attended the ISC opening. 

The event began with a report by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs of Biology UGM, who also serves as the Chairperson of the International Summer Course. 

“This activity is a follow-up to the collaboration between UGM and WSU, which has been established over the past few years,” said Dr. Suyono on Thursday (Jan. 30).

Professor John Charles Hunt, a representative from WSU, expressed hope that this event would continue and expand collaboration in research and academia. 

A similar sentiment was shared by Professor Puji Astuti, Director of Partnerships and Global Relations at UGM, who expressed appreciation for this collaboration, mentioning that this ISC is the second in January 2025 after the partnership with Monash University and UGM Vocational College (SV UGM). 

“I believe the focus of this summer course on biodiversity and environmental sustainability, as well as UGM’s role in supporting conservation efforts in Kalimantan and Papua, is highly relevant,” she said.

The Dean of Biology UGM, Professor Budi Setiadi Daryono, noted that Yogyakarta is a special place with its rich culture and natural resources and hoped that ISC participants would take advantage of the opportunity to explore various aspects during their time there.

The summer course participants visited the UGM Biology Museum, guided by Donan Satria, a lecturer in Animal Systematics at Biology UGM. They were enthusiastic about learning about the museum’s history, role, and collections.

The participants then engaged in field activities at the Marine Research Station of Biology UGM on Porok Beach, Gunungkidul. 

These activities included intertidal sampling and biodiversity observation at the beach, led by Dr. Rury Eprilurahman, who focused on animals, and Dr. Thoriq Teja Samudra, who focused on macroalgae. 

Martin Holland, WSU’s International Summer Course Coordinator, mentioned that this field trip served as a warm-up before the main summer course agenda in Tarakan, Kalimantan.

Professor Daryono stated that this ISC could strengthen the collaboration between WSU and Biology UGM, opening up opportunities for further cooperation in academics and research while contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. 

“With this spirit of collaboration, it is hoped that similar activities will continue and further strengthen the relationship between UGM and WSU, supporting conservation and nature preservation efforts in Indonesia and globally,” he concluded.

Report by: Biology UGM/Ichsan Risalba

Author: Jelita Agustine

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM and WSU Hold International Summer Course on Biodiversity in Gunungkidul and Tarakan pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

In addition, this student and alumni community also conducted technical training on seedlings in the coastal sandy farmland area of Karanganyar Hamlet, Sanden District, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Chairina Indita, the AGISS project manager, also stated that the inauguration of the seedling house is an initial step to promote the independence of agricultural seedlings in coastal sandy lands. 

“This seedling house can bring positive and sustainable changes for farmers in coastal sandy land areas, supporting seedling independence, enhancing productivity, and improving the welfare of farmers in the Sanden area,” Indita said in a statement sent to reporters on Wednesday (Jan. 29).

Indita explained that the Pertamina Foundation supported the inauguration of AGISS through the 2024 PFmuda Program as part of its efforts to support the development of integrated agriculture. 

The seedling house’s construction took about one month. Its aim was to create a facility for intensifying seedlings for superior commodities. 

“We hope this one-month process will create a more efficient seedling process,” she said.

Moreover, Agroritma is committed to continuing to collaborate with various parties to deliver other innovative solutions in the future.

Representatives from Agroritma, the Pasir Makmur Farmers Group, and the Subur Makmur Women’s Farmer Group symbolically inaugurated this agricultural commodity seedling house by signing an AGISS integrity pact.

Dwi, the coordinator of the Agricultural Extension Center in Sanden District, said that seedling houses have always been challenged by the heat from ultraviolet rays. 

“This challenge has been addressed through AGISS, which has been equipped with a mist irrigation system to counteract the hot air that damages the seedlings. Hopefully, this will be beneficial and improve agricultural productivity in sandy land areas,” he said.

Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Establishes Seedling House in Sanden Coastal Area pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

One of the activities carried out was organizing a seminar on Optimizing the Potential of the Creative Economy to Support the Tourism Sector in Taman District, Madiun City. 

The seminar took place on Wednesday (Jan. 22) in Taman District, Madiun City. Dr. Destha Titi Raharjana from UGM’s Center for Tourism Studies (Puspar UGM) was the speaker.

The Taman District Government and the Madiun City Regional Development Planning, Research, and Development Agency (Bappelitbangda) supported the seminar. 

Representatives from the Madiun City Bappelitbangda, the Madiun City Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports Office, the Madiun City Trade Office, the Madiun City Manpower Office, the Madiun City Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service Office, village heads, and representatives of creative economy entrepreneurs from all villages in Taman District attended the seminar.

Dr. Raharjana, a senior researcher at Puspar UGM, emphasized the urgency of developing the creative economy sector by identifying its landscape and opportunities and formulating strategic recommendations for strengthening the creative economy ecosystem in Taman District, Madiun City. 

According to him, past experiences could serve as a foundation for Taman District in developing its tourism area.

Tourism experiences that become a region’s identity can be achieved through collaboration among the region’s driving elements. Tourism players can collectively create unique experiences as the selling points of tourism in Taman District. 

“Create an ambiance, an atmosphere that gives Madiun City a unique sense, something different from others, because tourism is different,” she explained.

For Dr. Raharjana, creative destinations will be able to compete. This is because tourism development demands both knowledge and creativity.

Moreover, he envisions future tourism development leaning towards a creativity-based tourism model. This aligns with the economy’s shift towards the creative economy era. 

“The Madiun City Government has also issued Regional Regulation No. 11/2024 on the development of the Creative Economy. The key to the creative economy lies in ideas and creativity. Exploring, presentation, and packaging are sought in creative economy development. Packaging can be done thematically based on clusters through a regional approach,” he elaborated.

The seminar organized by the KKN-PPM students received a warm response from the community. They were enthusiastic about participating in the activity, especially the creative economy entrepreneurs from nine villages in Taman District. 

They even openly shared stories about their achievements in developing the creative economy and their hopes for the future regarding product marketing.

Dr. Raharjana hopes that this seminar can serve as a good starting point for the growth of the creative economy and support the acceleration of the tourism sector. 

The spirit of creativity and market expansion by creative economy entrepreneurs is expected to receive attention and follow-up assistance from related regional organizations.

“The development of the creative economy as part of the tourism sector’s growth in a region requires a platform, namely the tourism awareness group (pokdarwis). The formation of pokdarwis cannot be separated from identifying local champions as the driving figures,” Dr. Raharjana said.

The seminar’s sharing session concluded that the enthusiasm of the creative economy entrepreneurs from each village in Taman District was viewed positively. 

The optimization of pokdarwis’ function as a tourism institution, driven by the initiative of the community and tourism activists, is expected to serve as a platform for accelerating the creative economy.

Yusuf Asmadi, the Head of Taman District, was pleased with the positive response from Bappelitbangda representatives and tourism players. He welcomed and appreciated the seminar organized by UGM KKN-PPM students.

“Thank you to everyone involved in organizing the seminar as part of the UGM KKN-PPM work program. We hope that the four villages in Taman District that serve as the KKN-PPM’s focus—Manisrejo, Pandean, Banjarejo, and Mojorejo—will become triggers for connected tourism in Taman District. We will soon realize this, and all villages in Taman District will be connected into a single tourism package,” he said.

Febri, the person in charge of the Parekraf Seminar work program, stated that developing the creative economy is an important component of tourism development. 

The urgency of developing the creative economy lies in empowering entrepreneurs. It becomes a practical pillar in tourism development by providing “something to buy.” 

“It’s not just about buying a product, but also how tourists or visitors can buy an experience. This aligns with Taman District’s broader goal of developing its tourism sector,” he said.

He added that besides the major tourism theme, UGM KKN-PPM students in Madiun City also carry out various community assistance activities, including education, MSMEs, and other fields.

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel Supporting Madiun Tourism, UGM KKN Students Promote Creative Economy Products pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

It contains approximately 14-19% crude protein, making it a potential livestock feed, as explained by Professor Zuprizal, a researcher from the Animal Feed Science Laboratory (IMT) at the Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Animal Science UGM), during the Fapet Menyapa event on Friday, Jan. 24, discussing the potential of feed additives for livestock feed.

Professor Zuprizal mentioned that Indonesia’s annual feed production is about 20 million tons, and the optimal proportion of palm kernel cake used in broiler chicken feed formulation is 10%, supplemented with essential amino acids and enzymes. 

“There is potential to use around 2 million tons of palm kernel cake for broiler chicken feed,” said Professor Zuprizal.

He further explained that using 10% palm kernel cake in broiler feed could reduce the use of corn by approximately 9% and soybean meal by around 3%. 

“This would result in savings, especially since soybean meal is still imported,” he added.

However, due to the high fiber content, particularly mannans in palm kernel cake, supplementation with external enzymes like mannanase, NSPase, and protease is needed to improve nutrient digestibility, which in turn enhances productivity, carcass quality, and the digestive health of broiler chickens.

The IMT team also presented several research examples of feed additives using nanoparticle technology for broiler chickens, such as nanotechnology turmeric extract, nanotechnology cardamom extract, nanoemulsion lemongrass essential oil extract, and soursop leaf extract.

Alongside Professor Zuprizal, the IMT team present at Fapet Menyapa included Professor Kustantinah, Dr. Aji Praba Baskara, Dr. Nanung Danar Dono, Dr. Insani Hubi Zulfa, and Dr. Aeni Nur Latifah.

Reporter: Animal Science UGM/Satria

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photos by: Gapki and Margiyono

Artikel Palm Kernel Cake Potential as Additional Livestock Feed pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Local authorities have evacuated more than 180,000 people, and the fire has claimed the lives of at least 28 people, destroyed thousands of homes, and burned tens of thousands of hectares of land. 

Recently, another wildfire occurred north of Los Angeles, consuming 8,000 hectares of land and prompting the evacuation of more than 19,000 people.

Professor Priyono Suryanto, a professor at the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, stated that the forest fires in Los Angeles warn the global community about the real impacts of climate change and global warming caused by deforestation. 

“The forest fires in California cannot be understood from a single perspective. The factors are not isolated but are an accumulation of complex issues in ultra-modern life,” said Professor Suryanto on Friday (Jan. 24).

He explained that natural infrastructure such as rivers, tributaries, hill performance, and habitat space is often neglected in modern life. Instead, modern infrastructure is built with the disregard of natural infrastructure. 

Yet, proper forest management and forestry practices that restore the balance of life are crucial. 

“As long as the rate of deforestation remains unchecked, and rehabilitation efforts are not accelerated, we are, in full awareness, awaiting ‘nature’s verdict’ through disasters like this,” he remarked.

He further added that forest fires and other disasters, such as floods and landslides, indicate that the harmony between humans and nature is imbalanced. 

“The increasing frequency and variety of natural disasters should serve as a clear alarm for us to return to living in harmony with the universe,” he emphasized.

The Faculty of Forestry lecturer also urged the public, the government, and private sectors to support climate change mitigation efforts to maintain the balance between humans and forests. 

“A new global awareness is needed that promotes global humanitarian actions, such as ecological charity. The ecological charity has been largely marginalized and, in extreme cases, completely ignored; when it does exist, it is only on a small scale,” said Professor Suryanto, the Chair of the Indonesian Agroforestry Society (MAFI).

Professor Suryanto explained that ecological charity goes beyond land rehabilitation programs or reforestation efforts. It should be expanded to include architectural designs that ensure the growth and development of natural instruments such as forests, rivers, and other natural habitat spaces.

Author: Tiefany

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photos: Bloomberg and Times of India

Artikel Los Angeles Wildfire Rages On: 180,000 Evacuated, UGM Expert Warns of Climate Crisis pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.