At the edge of dawn, on a quiet 15 August 2025 morning, the mist-covered hills of Bukit Tungkuwiri stirred with new life. Armed not with weapons but with shovels and seedlings, hundreds of people—soldiers, students, elders, and civil servants—gathered side by side, determined to restore what had been lost.
This was no ordinary gathering. It marked a defining moment of unity and ecological resolve. In celebration of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day, the Indonesian Army Regional Command (Korem) 172/Praja Wira Yakthi (PWY) led an ambitious initiative to plant 80,000 trees across the vulnerable landscape of Doyo Lama, Waibu District, Jayapura Regency. It wasn’t just about greening a hillside—it was about healing Papua’s environment, uplifting communities, and building a legacy that would outlast generations.
A Living Tribute to Independence
The initiative, themed “TNI Bersama Rakyat Lestarikan Alam—Penghijauan Papua dengan 80.000 Pohon” (TNI and the People Preserve Nature—Greening Papua with 80,000 Trees), was deeply symbolic. Each tree represented one year of Indonesia’s sovereignty—a testament not only to national pride but also to the values of stewardship, sustainability, and solidarity with nature.
Brigadier General Tagor Rio Pasaribu, Commander of Korem 172/PWY, delivered a powerful address to the gathered crowd, calling the tree-planting program an act of “national gratitude” and a “gift to the Earth from the people of Papua.” He emphasized the long-term vision behind the project—combating climate change, restoring biodiversity, and empowering local communities through environmental action.
“Our homeland must be green not only in spirit but also in substance,” he declared. “These trees are not just plants. They are living promises—to ourselves, our ancestors, and our children.”
Mobilizing a Movement: 1,000 Hands, One Purpose
The planting day was a coordinated effort that brought together an impressive coalition. Over 1,000 participants joined the campaign, including representatives from the Papua Provincial Government, local regencies, traditional leaders, religious organizations, students, and environmental activists.
The area chosen for planting—Bukit Tungkuwiri—holds both ecological and cultural importance. In recent years, it had suffered from environmental degradation due to illegal logging, land conversion, and climate impacts. Restoring this hillside, once stripped bare, signaled a meaningful turning point in local conservation efforts.
Participants were not only planting trees—they were planting relationships, building trust, and renewing bonds between the military, the government, and the Papuan people.
Tree by Tree: A Thoughtful Selection
This wasn’t a random act of greening. The Korem 172/PWY program demonstrated a thoughtful approach to species selection, land suitability, and long-term impact.
Out of the 80,000 trees, about 46,222 were forest trees, including Merbau (Intsia bijuga)—prized for its hardwood and native to Papua; Trembesi (Samanea saman)—known for its wide canopy and ability to reduce air pollution; Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)—a valuable hardwood species for reforestation; and Pine and Acacia—ideal for soil retention and biodiversity support.
The remaining 33,778 trees were fruit and productive plants, including durian, rambutan, avocado, and coffee.
These trees were selected not only to rehabilitate the environment but also to provide long-term economic benefit to nearby communities. The inclusion of fruiting plants allows for future harvests that could support local food security and community-based agroforestry programs.
Brigjen Pasaribu noted, “Environmental sustainability and economic growth must go hand-in-hand. These trees will feed not just the land but the people.”
A Green Event with Social Roots
The tree-planting campaign wasn’t limited to environmental goals. It was integrated with broader community development initiatives, including free medical services for local residents, a blood donation drive in collaboration with local hospitals, and environmental education booths for schoolchildren.
These additions turned the event into a holistic day of service, embodying the spirit of TNI Manunggal Bersama Rakyat—the idea that the military and the people are inseparable partners in national development.
For the youth, the event also served as a living classroom. Students from nearby schools took part in planting, learned about native species, and listened to elders speak about traditional Papuan relationships with the land.
Guardians of the Forest: Toward Long-Term Sustainability
A key concern with any reforestation effort is what happens after the trees are planted. Korem 172/PWY addressed this early on.
General Pasaribu emphasized that the success of the program depends on post-planting care and called for local governments, NGOs, and educational institutions to adopt planted areas for long-term maintenance. A rotation plan for monitoring growth, survival rate, and replacement of damaged saplings has already been proposed.
In the coming months, TNI units in the region will collaborate with village councils to assign “tree guardians”—youths or elders tasked with protecting and nurturing specific sections of the forest.
“We don’t just want to green Papua—we want to build a culture that honors trees as part of daily life,” Pasaribu said.
Why It Matters: Papua at a Climate Crossroads
Papua is home to one of the largest remaining tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia, covering an estimated 34 million hectares. It plays a vital role in carbon storage, climate regulation, and biodiversity conservation.
But in recent years, environmental pressures have intensified. Deforestation, illegal mining, and palm oil expansion have threatened critical habitats. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and sea-level rise further endanger coastal and highland communities alike.
Programs like Korem 172/PWY’s tree planting are not just symbolic—they are necessary interventions at a time when local ecosystems are under siege.
A Model for Future Collaboration
This initiative serves as a model for multi-sector collaboration that could be replicated across Indonesia:
- Government and military provide logistical capacity and coordination.
- Local communities bring traditional knowledge and long-term stewardship.
- Environmental organizations contribute technical guidance and ecological insight.
- Educational institutions embed sustainability values into youth culture.
The model also aligns with broader national policies, including
- Indonesia’s 2030 climate commitments (NDCs).
- The Social Forestry Program under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
- The National Movement for Forest and Land Rehabilitation (GNRHL).
A Voice from the Land: Local Reactions
Beyond the ceremony and speeches, the real measure of the event’s success lies in the community’s response.
Maria Yuliana, a local high school teacher, shared:
“When our students plant these trees, they’re planting part of themselves. They’ll come back, year after year, and watch them grow. That’s how identity forms—rooted in the land.”
Yonas Wonda, a village elder, was even more direct:
“We Papuans have always respected the forest. Now the government and the TNI are showing they care too. That’s good for trust. Good for the future.”
Conclusion
On the surface, planting trees might seem like a simple act. But in Papua—in a land so rich yet so often overlooked—it takes on deeper meaning. It’s a declaration that development can be inclusive, that progress and preservation can coexist, and that the military can serve as both protector and partner.
The 80,000 trees planted by Korem 172/PWY are now taking root in the hills of Bukit Tungkuwiri. In time, they will grow into forests. Those forests will shelter birds, feed families, protect soil, and store carbon. They will become a living legacy—one planted not only by soldiers but by a united community with a shared vision.
In that sense, this is not just a story about Papua. It’s a story about Indonesia. About a nation that remembers its past, honors its land, and believes its future can—and must—be green.