Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has distributed 17,845 free tree seedlings to communities across 20 provinces as part of the Bibit Merdeka untuk Masyarakat initiative, supporting the government’s ASRI movement and national forest conservation efforts.
The initiative was launched ahead of Indonesia’s Independence Day as part of the Ministry of Forestry’s 81 Forestry Actions for Independence. The seedlings have been distributed through the Ministry’s Watershed Management Agency Technical Implementation Units since August 10, 2026.
The program also supports ASRI, an acronym for Aman, Sehat, Resik, and Indah, or Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful. The movement is part of the government’s environmental agenda and aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives on roof greening, waste management and reforestation.
Director General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation Dyah Murtiningsih, representing the Minister of Forestry, said the ministry has prepared 21 million seedlings this year through 59 permanent nurseries across Indonesia.
“Communities can access the seedlings through Watershed Management Agencies located throughout Indonesia,” Dyah said while opening the program during the Car Free Day event on Jalan Sudirman, Jakarta, on August 15.
She said tree planting does not require large yards, as seedlings can also be planted in pots or drums to increase green spaces around residential areas.
Dyah encouraged communities to continue planting trees not only to improve the quality of their surroundings but also to help absorb carbon emissions and reduce pollution in urban areas.
The Ministry of Forestry distributed 1,000 ornamental tabebuya and multi-purpose tree species seedlings during the Jakarta event. The seedlings came from the Rumpin Permanent Nursery under the Citarum-Ciliwung Watershed Management Agency.
The distribution attracted strong public interest, with residents participating in the event following a joint exercise session. One participant, Eka, a resident of South Jakarta, welcomed the initiative and said free seedlings could encourage more people to plant trees around their homes.
The Bibit Merdeka untuk Masyarakat initiative is one of five main programs under the Ministry of Forestry’s 81 Forestry Actions, which were implemented at 81 locations from Sabang to Merauke between August 10 and 16, 2026.
The five programs comprise Hutan Tumbuh untuk Indonesia, Bibit Merdeka untuk Masyarakat, Hutan Bersih Indonesia Asri, Forester Goes to School, and Bakti Rimbawan untuk Negeri.
Through the program, the Ministry of Forestry aims to expand community participation in reforestation, strengthen urban greening efforts and encourage public involvement in protecting Indonesia’s forests and environment. (*)
