ITS Rector gave a speech at the opening of the ITS Bertumbuh event

In honor of World Biodiversity Day, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) planted plenty of new trees throughout the campus. This tree planting event was held on May 30, 2022, which is a series of activities from the ITS Berbunga and ITS Berbuah events. The event entitled ITS Bertumbuh was opened and inaugurated by ITS Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng IPU AEng in the ITS Rectorate Building area.The ITS Bertumbuh event was attended by ITS officials and students who are members of the Environmental Lovers (PLH Siklus) ITS and the Environmental Lovers and Observers Group (KPPL). On this occasion, ITS planted 35 flowering and fruiting trees in the ITS environment. 

The different tree species planted range from baobab big trees to tabebuya, pule, jengkol, and durian musang king trees. Planting points are centered in several areas, namely the Plasa dr Angka building, the Rectorate building, Graha Sepuluh Nopember ITS, gate 1, the ITS forest area, to the ITS Buncitan Campus which is planted with banana and jengkol trees. ITS hopes that planting dozens of trees can attract ITS students to be aware of the environment and implement the Smart Eco Campus program. Tabebuya trees were initially planted as part of this effort in 2020. 

The tabebuya tree was chosen because it is heat resistant and has a high aesthetic value. When blooming, tabebuya trees will be white, pink, or yellow. The beauty of the tabebuya tree when blooming at ITS is often covered by national news because of its beauty. Tabebuya tree is a plant originating from Brazil which has a dry climate. Tabebuya trees have high resistance to hot weather so they are suitable for planting on the ITS campus. This tree also has benefits as a shade because it has a high branching, approximately 2 m. 

Tabebuya blooming at ITS

According to ITS, the ITS Bertumbuh initiatives could pave the way for other Indonesian universities to go green, particularly in Surabaya. In addition, it is expected that residents in the ITS environment always maintain and maintain the environment.

Source: ITS News (edited)