Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The National Committee for Indonesian Youths (KNPI) said a tree-planting and garbage-removal movement is not a mere ceremonial activity but a public resolve to preserve the environment.

"I hope the Indonesian community, particularly Jakarta residents to have a high awareness of the need to preserve the environment," KNPI Chairman Azis Syamsuddin said on the sidelines of a mangrove-planting and garbage-removal campaign on the coast of Rambut Island in the Seribu Islands on Sunday.

The activity was held to mark World Environment Day which falls on June 5. On the occasion, KNPI Chief Azis Syamsuddin, Miss Indonesia 2010 Nadine Alexandra Dewi, Head of the Jakarta Natural Resource Conservation Board (BKSDA) Ahmad Saerozi, and Indonesian woman motivator Indonesia Ainy Fauziyah symbolically planted mangrove trees.

The KNPI chief said the committee supported the reforestation program launched by the Forestry Ministry to conserve the environment.

The tree-planting and garbage-removal movement was not merely the responsibility of the Forestry Ministry but of the government and all elements of the community as well, he said.

"The central and regional governments should always call on the public to have a high awareness of the need to love the environment and determine to preserve the environment," he said.

The government should take advantage of any momentum to call on the public to plant trees and rid the environment of garbage, he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Saerozi said the 90-hectare Rambut Island was a wildlife reserve which is home to 36 animal species. (S012/A/H-NG/B003).

(ANTARA)

Editor: Ella Syafputri
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