BANDUNG, unpas.ac.id – Rector of Universitas Pasundan, Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Eddy Jusuf Sp, M.Si., M.Kom., IPU accompanied by Vice Rector III, Dr. H. Deden Ramdan, M.Si observed the Sector 7 of Citarum Harum, Katapang Sub-District, Bandung District, after delivering graduation attributes to graduates’ houses.
The Rector said that Unpas has taken participation in the program of Citarum Harum since 2014, in Sector 1, Desa Cibeureum, Kertasari Sub-District, Bandung District. Unpas has involved more or less 4500 new students to plant the avocado seeds in the upstream of Citarum River.
“Every new student has their contribution to bring 5 avocado seeds to sow in the area. Alhamdulillah, there are 32 thousand trees have grown in the upstream,” he said.
He appreciated sector 7 which looked much cleaner than before it was. According to him, this condition was realized thanks to the involvement of various parties, including universities, the community, and industry.
“Sector 7 has now been much cleaner, especially in sector 1 located in the upstream, Situ Cisanti. Since 2007, Citarum has been popular as the dirtiest river in the world. We respond to the challenge by involving all people to solve the problems; related to trash and other pollution,” he said.
In the next few years, Rector wished that the avocado seeds being sown in the upstream of Citarum could be a protecting tree to handle erosion and sedimentation, especially in Unpas assisted areas.
Although Citarum Harum program will end in 2024, Unpas will continue and maintain it as a form of concern for the environment.
“What is most important here is, how we maintain it [the cleanliness] continuously to gain its cleanliness back as before; 40 years ago. It could even be used for people’s economic activities,” he explained.
The Rector also emphasized that all parties should be involved to maintain the river, since garbage/ waste does not only come from household, but also industry and other activity.
“In West Java, there are 378 private universities, 14 states universities and other parties, such as community organization or Non-Governmental Organization which must take part in the program of Citarum Harus consisting of Sector 1 to Sector 22,” he concluded. (Reta)*