Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — The Deputy Minister of Environment/Deputy Head of the Indonesian Environmental Management Agency, Diaz Hendropriyono, has called on the younger generation to take a more active role in managing waste and preserving a sustainable environment. He emphasized that young people should not merely accept the current state of the environment but must participate in maintaining a clean and healthy environment for themselves and future generations.
This message was delivered by the Deputy Minister during the opening of the Bhumandala Festival 2025 at President University in Cikarang. The festival, organized by the student organization Preserve, aims to educate students on environmental preservation, with the younger generation expected to lead the movement in tackling Indonesia’s waste problem.
Held at the President University Convention Center, the festival was attended by students from various departments. The event opened with a talk show and was designed to raise awareness and encourage active student participation in environmental conservation efforts. The initiative received positive feedback from President University’s Rector, Handa Abidin, who praised the students’ commitment in launching the Preserve movement. On the same occasion, Rector Abidin remarked, “This movement shows that students are not just recipients of change, but also real drivers of transformation.”
Deputy Minister Diaz stated, “Waste is not merely an environmental issue—it’s an existential one. No one can live amidst accumulating waste, and this should be a shared concern. Young people play a vital role in leading this change.”
In his speech, Diaz also highlighted the worsening environmental conditions in West Java, particularly the escalating waste problem and uncontrolled land conversion. “If we don’t act swiftly, the impacts of climate change will become more apparent, with floods and pollution continuing to cause damage. The role of students is crucial in building a better future,” he continued.
Also present at the event was the Head of the West Java Environmental Agency, Ai Saadiyah Dwidaningsih, who emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and the community—especially students—in addressing ongoing environmental issues.
To conclude the event, the Deputy Minister of Environment conveyed a message to the Rector of President University, urging the university to become a leading example in waste management efforts in Indonesia, by engaging more students in sustainable environmental movements.
