In order to celebrate World Environment Day, Sigi Regency, through its Forestry and Tourism Services, engaged in a recent collaboration with state high school SMAN 6 that involved the organization of a special event that aimed at increasing public awareness of environmental issues. The event was held on 13 June 2024 in Ranjuri ancient forest in the Marawola sub-district of Sigi Regency in Central Sulawesi. During the celebration, a series of activities were conducted, including the planting trees of and the restocking of orchids within their natural habitats in the forest which, in this case, was the Ranjuri Purba Forest, one of Central Sulawesi’s designated Biodiversity Parks. The forest lies only a short distance of 13 km from Palu City, meaning that it has significant development potential.

The aims of the celebration included the following:
- Increasing public awareness of the importance of protecting the environment.
- Enriching the Ranjuri ancient forest through tree planting and orchid restocking activities. The orchid restocking activity is being supported by FORCLIME.
- Disseminating information regarding natural potential in Sigi Regency within the context of preparing a grand design for the Ranjuri Purba Forest.
- Increasing community involvement around the Ranjuri ancient forest area in order to protect and preserve the forest.

“We should not wait until our natural resources have been damaged before realizing their importance too late, and we should also remember that no matter how much effort, costs and energy we expend, we will not be able to restore our natural inheritance to its original condition. Therefore, it is vital that we protect our natural resources before they are damaged any further," urged FORCLIME Central Sulawesi Provincial Coordinator, Mr. Ismet Khaeruddin, as he sought to remind the population of the importance of protecting its natural resources so that they can be enjoyed by future generations.

In the wake of this activity, the ongoing collaboration between the Forestry Service, the Tourism Service and SMAN 6 will continue with further orchid restocking monitoring activities, as well as with the development of community programmes that will tackle preservation and protection activities within the Ranjuri ancient forest.

For more information, please contact:
Arif Hidayat, Junior Forestry and Biodiversity Advisor
Ismet Khaeruddin, Senior Adviser for Biodiversity and Provincial Coordinator for Central Sulawesi