Making His Own Forest

KOMPAS/SUCIPTO

Suhendri

Based on information he got from newspapers, Suhendri, 77, has been planting different types of trees on his 3 hectares in Bukit Biru village, Tenggarong district, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, for four decades.

His dream is simple. He wants to contribute to preserving Kalimantan as the lungs of the world. Hendri, who is affectionately called Abah Hendri, is originally from Sukabumi, West Java. He migrated with his wife, Junarsah, 80, to Tenggarong district in 1974.

Suhendri worked odd jobs. He worked as a construction worker in a timber company or as a farmer to earn a living. At that time, Tenggarong was still quiet. Not many houses, shops or offices had been built. While working as a construction worker, Hendri also carried out farming activities on idle land owned by his friend.

At that time, the price of rice was only Rp 150 per kilogram.

He planted the land with rice, corn, crops, beans, chili and coffee. From his income as a laborer and from the sales of agricultural products, he was able to save. He used the savings to buy 1.5 hectares from his friend for Rp 100,000 in installments. At that time, the price of rice was only Rp 150 per kilogram.

He then bought another 1.5 hectares located not far from his own land. In total, he owns 3 hectares of land. He used the land for agriculture. From there he was able to fulfill the daily needs of his family. However, Hendri was not satisfied. He wanted to use the land as a forest.

That desire has continued to hit him since 1980. "I see, at that time development had begun in East Kalimantan. I thought, Kalimantan\'s forests would eventually be gone if they continue to cut down their forests. Since then, I want to make my land like a forest," Hendry said on 25 November.

He fulfilled his dream. He planted his land with various tree seeds such as agatis, albasia, meranti, sengon, cempedak and langsat. There are at least 50 species of trees planted on his land. He got the tree seedlings from several of his friends when he was working at the timber company.

KOMPAS/SUCIPTO

Suhendri

City Forest

Years later, the various trees he planted have flourished. Lines of trees with an average height of 10 meters form a small, shady forest in the center of Kutai Kartanegara. The distance is only 3.5 kilometers from the office of the regent of Kutai Kartanegara. The forest is located on the side of Jalan Pesut, one of the main streets in Tenggarong. Some researchers refer to the forest as agroforestry, a form of natural resource management that combines tree planting with agricultural crops.

Because it is near the city, the forest attracts a variety of people to enjoy the shady atmosphere while learning about plants from Hendri. For educational purposes, Hendri wrote the names of the trees and their Latin names, the year the tree was planted. He also wrote the slogan on natural resource preservation at the entrance of his agroforestry. He also wrote various advises on how to protect nature.

"Every time I have an idea in my head, I write it down. It became a reminder for me to continue to protect this forest," he said.

He forbade anyone to cut down trees in the agroforestry. He also asked his children and his son-in-law to use the forest only for education. Only those located by the road could be used for business.

He will not sell forest land. In the 1990s, there were people who offered the land Rp 10 billion for housing complex.

He will not sell forest land. In the 1990s, there were people who offered the land Rp 10 billion for housing complex. Hendri flatly refused. "This is a source of oxygen in the city. This is a charity for me to people. I have also asked my children and son-in-law, not sell this forest,” he said.

Because of his very high dedication to environmental preservation, Hendri was once nominated to receive Kalpataru environmental award. However, he refused. "If the government has managed the forest properly, it is fine (to give awards). I think it\'s still not right, so I reject it," he said loudly.

Currently, Hendri lives with his wife while taking care of the plants and trees in is forests every day. They sell drinks for visitors who come to travel or study there. In the morning or evening, they water the seedlings of the plants that they will cultivate.

They only buy rice and cooking spices for their daily food needs. They can harvest vegetables from their own gardens. Besides, they never buy drinking water. Hendri made a well in the middle of his agroforestry. The water is clear.

Hendri’s efforts to plant trees up to 10 meters in height have been successful. Hendri feels fulfilled and content even though he does have an expensive car or a big house. He wants the status of Kalimantan as the lungs of the world is maintained, because human life still depends on forests in Kalimantan.

He wants everyone to be able to benefit from the abundance of oxygen from the various trees he has planted. "I have enough. My goals have been achieved and I am so happy," he said.

KOMPAS/SUCIPTO

Suhendri

Suhendri

Born: Sukabumi, 19 Sept. 1942

Wife: Junarsah, 80

Children: Jubaedah, 68; Aisha, 57

Education: Elementary School in Warungkiara, Pelabuhan Ratu (not completed)