Enviro News Asia, Surabaya — The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLH) and the East Java Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) are partnering to foster an environmentally conscious society.
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the Java Environmental Control Center (Pusdal LH), Region III Surabaya, welcomed Kemenag officials to strengthen their cooperation in educating the public about the importance of nature conservation.
Kemenag’s Aries Papudi and his staff member, Hidayat, met with Nugroho Widiarto, a senior expert on environmental impact control, and Yustinus Ade Stirman, a junior expert on environmental counseling.
Papudi stated that the collaboration between KLH and Kemenag is strategic because religion plays a powerful role in shaping public awareness. He hopes the partnership will lead to concrete initiatives, such as religious-based environmental empowerment and education.
Widiarto emphasized that environmental issues are a shared responsibility, regardless of religious background. He said that a religious approach can be an effective way to encourage people to care for the environment, especially with waste being a serious concern.
This synergy aligns with a Memorandum of Understanding between KLH and Kemenag on environmental preservation based on religious values. Through this partnership, both parties are committed to promoting the message that protecting the earth is a form of worship, ultimately creating a more harmonious and higher-quality life. (*)
