Jakarta – Governor of East Java Khofifah Indar Parawansa attended the Peak Commemoration of Indonesian Arbor Day 2025 at Glagah Arum Campground, Kandangtepus Village, Senduro District, Lumajang Regency on Friday (12/12/2025). In this series of activities, Khofifah together with the regent of Lumajang Indah Amperawati Masdar and various elements of the society planted 5,000 tree seedlings. In particular, Khofifah also handed over assistance for Productive Economic Tools (AEP) for the processing of coconut sugar, a number of other AEPs, as well as 484,743 trees to dozens of Forestry Groups (KTH) in East Java. This aid was given to KTH from Lumajang, Probolinggo, Jember, Pasuruan, Situbondo and Banyuwangi Regencies. This support commitment is part of efforts to deliver commodities downstream to deliver optimal added value. SCROLL TO CONTINUE CONTENT As a result, as of December 11, 2025 at 15.00 WIB, the East Java KTH economic exchange rate (NTE) was recorded as the highest nationally, namely IDR 1,611,019,875,298 or 48.29% of the total national NTE of IDR 3,336,417,088,760. Khofifah said this momentum is a form of commitment and synergy between the East Java Provincial Government and all elements of society to continue to love nature in order to maintain the environment’s carrying capacity. He added that the habit of planting trees should not only be carried out on National Tree Planting Day but also on various occasions. Khofifah said that she and her family have been in the habit of planting trees since 1991, where every birthday celebration is always accompanied by tree planting. “That’s why I invite everyone, who usually hold events or ceremonies where flower boards are usually held, to be transformed into living trees. So that life brings life, urip gafe urup,” Khofifah said in a written statement on Friday (12/12/2025). With this more massive joint hard work, Khofifah believes that we will be able to meet the national target of achieving Indonesia’s net zero emissions by 2060. It can even be accelerated by 2050. “Any tree. Although I often invite you to plant mangroves because mangroves can absorb five times more carbon dioxide than others,” he continued. Khofifah said that the East Java Provincial Government’s commitment to providing natural and environmental support has also received support from various external parties. One of them is through the RISING Fellowship between the governments of Indonesia and Singapore regarding carbon sequestration, carbon trading and carbon credit. “What we hope is that what we plant will become charity for us and others. Or it can be called the most natural oxygen alms that we can do together,” he said. On the other hand, Khofifah also said that tree planting activities can be part of disaster mitigation efforts, especially in areas that have been identified as prone to disasters. This is in line with Jatim Lestari’s mission, namely to strengthen the quality of river basins through the provision of seeds and tree planting movements. This step is considered strategic to reduce the risk of hydrometeorological disasters which have recently been frequent in various regions. At the end of the event, Khofifah also appealed to the public to always be ready and vigilant to face potential hydro-meteorological disasters at the end of the year. He advised the public to regularly update early warning information from BMKG and other related parties. “Avoid risky places like beaches, or those with the potential for landslides and heavy rain with tornadoes. Make sure all our family members can have a safe and happy vacation,” he concluded. Meanwhile, Indah in her speech expressed her gratitude for the attention and support given by Governor Khofifah. “Thank you, Madam Governor, on behalf of the people of Lumajang. Madam Governor helped from coconut seeds to AEP coconuts,” Indah said. Through this activity, he hopes that people can be inspired to improve their habit of planting trees, as exemplified by Governor Khofifah. “We were blessed with prosperity, where the Governor distributed various kinds of tree seeds, including macadamia and so on. She said that this is oxygen charity and that the people of East Java can imitate one person, one tree, one year. That was her message,” he concluded. In commemoration of Arbor Day, various awards were also given to figures who were deemed to contribute to efforts to preserve forests and the environment. Among them are member of the DPD RI for the East Java constituency Lia Istifhama and the regent of Lumajang Indah Amperawati. In addition, assistance from AEP for Coconut Sugar Processing and other AEPs was also distributed, including to KTH Wana Tirta in the form of 56 packs of sugar mixers and frying pans. Similar assistance was also provided to KTH Sumbulatin in Bondowoso Regency in the form of a peeling machine, coffee roaster, pulper and grinding unit. (acn/ega)