Commemorating World Environment Day, HAkA Environmental Cadres Batch 4 Participated in a 1,000 Tree Planting Action in Aceh Tengah.

Aceh Tengah – HAkA Environmental Cadres Batch 4 of 2026 participated in this action, along with 200 Central Aceh residents, consisting of students, environmental activists, community members, and village government officials, as a concrete form of action by the younger generation in supporting environmental conservation and post-disaster natural recovery. Together with various community elements, the environmental cadres were directly involved in the tree planting process at four locations in the Mendale Village area.

This 1,000-tree planting event was held on June 5, 2026, to commemorate World Environment Day. The Peteri Pukes Village Forest Management Institution (LPHK) initiated the activity, which took place in Mendale Village, Kebayakan District, Aceh Tengah Regency. This activity is part of a joint effort to raise public awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability and encourage concrete action in forest and nature conservation.

The Environmental Cadre Training, organized by the HAkA Foundation (Forest, Nature, and Environment of Aceh), is a program that provides a platform for learning, discussion, and capacity building for the younger generation to develop a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues, particularly those related to environmental degradation, natural resource conflicts, and sustainable environmental protection and management. Furthermore, this activity aims to equip participants with substantive knowledge, advocacy skills, and environmental analysis and campaigning skills, enabling them to play an active role as agents of change in efforts to save the environment in Aceh.

Reje Mendale, Syaifullah, expressed his appreciation for the initiative. He stated that following the disaster several months ago, the community needs to take an active role in protecting the environment to minimize similar incidents in the future.

“This is a very positive activity. After approximately six months after the disaster, we must work together to protect the environment and the surrounding nature. Thank God, tourism in Mendale is starting to return to normal during the Eid al-Adha period,” he said.

Similarly, the Head of Kebayakan District, Nashrin, said that the tree planting activity was a good step in the momentum of World Environment Day 2026.

“After so much loss due to the disaster, this activity is a good step to encourage people to care for the environment again. Protecting nature must be a shared responsibility,” he said.

HAkA Foundation representative, Badrul Irfan, also emphasized the importance of protecting nature as part of efforts to protect people’s lives in the future.

“Disasters make us realize that loss extends beyond just material possessions, including livelihoods and homes. Therefore, protecting nature and environmental conservation is a shared responsibility. The presence of many young people in this activity is a great hope that the environment will remain sustainable and benefit future generations,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the BKMT (Majelis Taklim Contact Body) and Deputy Chairperson of the Family Empowerment and Welfare Movement Team (TP-PKK) of Aceh Tengah Regency, Mrs. Vitriani, encouraged the entire community to start protecting the environment, starting with small things in their daily lives.

“Let’s work together to protect our environment for the sake of environmental sustainability. By taking care of the small things today, we are also safeguarding a better future,” he said.

Through this activity, it is hoped that HAkA Environmental Cadres Batch 4 will not only become a learning space for students, but will also be able to encourage the birth of real actions in protecting the environment and strengthening the conservation movement in Aceh.

Contact person: munira@haka.or.id