Planting Together Growing Stronger

Letternews.net — The Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Bali in cooperation with The Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) Representative in Indonesia tied-up a collaboration with the Association of Hospitality Leaders Indonesia (AHLI) Bali Chapter took part in an Environment Sustainability initiative 2023.

The program is part of the activities in commemorating the 78^th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia and the 32^nd Independence Day of Ukraine. “This initiative is to show one of our real efforts in commemorating the 78^th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia and at the same time also to commemorate the 32^nd Independence Day of Ukraine that falls one week afterwards”, said I Nyoman Astama, the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Denpasar Bali.

In order to support the program of “Free to Grow 2023”, the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Bali in cooperation with the Representative of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) in Indonesia, coordinated a tree planting activity in a collaboration with the members of Association of Hospitality Leaders Indonesia (AHLI) Bali Chapter. There were 100 participants planted 200 mangrove trees (Rhizophora mucronata) on Friday, the 18^th of August 2023. Sited on the marsh of Kodang, Sesetan, each participant planted his/her own mangrove tree(s), put a name tag of his/her own tree(s) and took a picture for commemoration.  The tree planting location has been coordinated with the local Fisherman Group called Rumah Kelompok Tani & Nelayan Segara Kodang for protecting and ensuring the growth of the trees.

“Mangrove trees play an important role in protecting the mainland from the sea water intrusion that can cause the high hardness of domestic water. We, therefore, are planting the mangrove trees in this conserved area of South Bali island which at the same time when the trees are growing they will be the home for the sea creatures that nurture the ecosystem in the conserved mangrove forest”, said Nyoman Astama,SE,MM,CHA the organizer of the Free to Grow Global in Indonesia. “This activity is also part of the implementation of Sustainable Tourism (SUSTOUR) practises. Other positive impact from this activity is that as we are collaborating with AHLI Bali, members of the association are expected to stimulate similar program in their working places and in their homes or original villages so that it can be a broader inspiring movement for sustaining the environment”, continued Mr. Astama who is also the Representative of Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (UCCI) in Indonesia.

“AHLI (Association of Hospitality Leaders Indonesia) Bali chapter highly appreciates the activity of Free to Grow Global which is organized by the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Bali and we are very delighted to be involved in this environmental program whereby today 200 mangrove trees are being planted. During this activity we involved around 70 Bali members of AHLI together planting mangrove trees in the recommended site. This activity shows genuine care of tourism industry towards nurturing environment sustainability”, added Sang Putu Eka Pertama, SE.Ak, CA, MM, M.Tr.Par, chairman of AHLI Bali Chapter, via message separately.

This global initiative of Free to Grow is inline with one of Balinese local wisdom aspects that cause the balance of harmonious relations, which is the harmony relation between human being and the environment called Palemahan. Three causes of harmony relations to achieve the ultimate happiness called Tri Hitana Karana. They area Parhyangan (harmony relations between human and the God Almighty), Pawongan (harmony relations amongst human being) and Palemahan (harmony relations between human being and the environment). (LN/AS)