This Orchidarium, constructed within the premises of PT. Refined Bangka Tin (RBT) factory complex in the Jelitik Industrial Zone, Sungailiat District, Bangka Island, was officially inaugurated on Monday, August 14, 2023. The event aims to contribute to the conservation of the native orchids of the Bangka Belitung Islands, including the Pencil Orchid (Vanda hookeriana), which serves as an iconic native orchid of Babel, characterized by its purple blossoms and growth in swamplands that are vulnerable to the ongoing tin mining activities in Bangka. During the inauguration event of the Orchidarium, the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada sent Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc., to attend as an academician in response to an invitation from the DPD PAI of Bangka Belitung.
The inauguration ceremony commenced with an address from Hj. Melati Erzaldi, S.H. (Chairwoman of DPD PAI Babel), expressing gratitude to PT RBT for responding to the invitation from DPD PAI Babel and urging all parties to participate in saving the 98 recorded species of native orchids of Babel. This was followed by a speech by GM Operational PT RBT, Ir. Agus Susanto, stating that PT RBT will continuously support the conservation efforts for plants, including orchids, in the Bangka Belitung Islands. Responding to this, Prof. Endang Semiarti, who also serves as the Chairwoman of DPD PAI DIY, affirmed strong support for the establishment of the Orchidarium. Endang emphasized that successful conservation requires sustained and effective collaboration among the ABCG elements: Academia (universities and schools; A), Business Entities (B), Community of Local Residents (C), and Government Authorities (G).
The Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, recognized as a Center of Excellence for Orchids in Indonesia, fully supports all efforts aimed at preserving Indonesian orchids, including those native to Babel. Prof. Ibrahim, the Rector of Universitas Bangka Belitung (UBB), and the Head of the Provincial Environmental Agency of Babel are also prepared to collaborate in the cultivation of native Babel orchids. The inauguration of the Orchidarium at PT RBT is hoped to inspire other companies in the Bangka Belitung region to collectively contribute to environmental conservation.
During this visit, one day prior on August 13, Prof. Endang and Dr. Untung also visited the Sungai Upang Biodiversity Conservation Area and engaged in an interactive discussion with the local community and farmers, facilitated by the Village Head, Deputy Chair (Ir. Dian Rossana Anggraini), and Secretary (Yuli Tulistianto, SE) of DPD PAI Babel. Participants, including both senior and younger community members and local farmers, expressed enthusiasm for cultivating plants, including orchids, to preserve the plant genetic resources in their area. The DPP PAI, UGM, and DPD PAI DIY affirmed their readiness to support and collaborate with DPD PAI Babel and BFS in the Sungai Upang Conservation Area, Babel, for the sharing of technology and the development of local Babel orchids.
The delegation left Bangka Belitung on August 15, 2023, with hopes that the collaborative efforts in cultivating and conserving endemic orchids of Bangka Belitung would soon materialize. May the substantial contributions to the preservation of Indonesia’s unique orchids become a reality soon. (Author: LAU).
The delegation left Bangka Belitung on August 15, 2023, with hopes that the collaborative efforts in cultivating and conserving endemic orchids of Bangka Belitung would soon materialize. May the substantial contributions to the preservation of Indonesia’s unique orchids become a reality soon. (Author: LAU).
