On July 6, 2024, the Biotechnology Laboratory, together with the Biology Orchid Study Club (BiOSC) at the Faculty of Biology, UGM, received a visit from two guests from DPD PAI BABEL: Ir. Dian Rossana Anggraini, Vice Chairman/Executive Chairman of DPD PAI BABEL and winner of the Kalpataru Award in 2015, and Yuli Tulistianto, S.E., Secretary of DPD PAI BABEL. The visit was warmly welcomed by Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc., Head of the Biotechnology Laboratory, Chairman of DPD PAI DIY, and the lecturer advisor for the BiOSC student study group.
During the visit, DPD PAI BABEL handed over four excellent and healthy orchid species plants of Bangka Belitung: Grammatophyllum speciosum and Phalaenopsis sumatrana, which are threatened in their natural habitats, to be cultivated at the Faculty of Biology, UGM, and orchid nurseries in DIY. They also handed ripe Grammatophyllum fruit to be cultured. Ir. Dian explained the natural conditions of these orchids in Bangka Belitung and how to cultivate them in the Greenhouse of the Faculty of Biology, UGM, ensuring the preservation of these Indonesian orchids. Additionally, a discussion was held about the diversity of orchid species in Bangka Belitung and their distribution based on habitat.
The next activity was planting the orchids in the Karanggayam Greenhouse, guided by Mr. Nanang, the greenhouse manager. This activity supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No.12 on responsible consumption and production and SDGs No. 17 on partnership for the goals. It is hoped that the conservation of Indonesian orchids will continue sustainably through collaboration between universities, PAI, and the community. (Ramadhan-BiOSC)