31 October 2022
Anonymous Writer
The Sei Nagalawan Mangrove Forest and the High-Altitude Natural Forest in Pondok Buluh, Simalungun, were bustling with hundreds of visitors daily. Students of the Faculty of Forestry at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), dressed in maroon uniforms, were seen entering and exiting the forest with survey equipment. A total of 200 students and 10 lecturers participated in the Forest Ecosystem Introduction Practice (P2EH) program from July 12 to 22, 2019.
P2EH is a mandatory academic activity for fourth-semester Forestry students, conducted during the transition from even to odd semesters. This program aims to provide students with hands-on experience in forest ecosystems and their management, as well as involve them in community service alongside faculty members. In 2019, P2EH was held in two locations: the mangrove forest ecosystem in Sei Nagalawan Village, Perbaungan Subdistrict, Serdang Bedagai Regency, and the Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) of Pondok Buluh, Dolok Panribuan Subdistrict, Simalungun Regency, representing highland natural forest ecosystems.
The program's content covered forest ecosystem introduction and the management of forest environmental services and surrounding communities. Students also received training in Forest Survival and Adventures, which included survival techniques in the forest and forest trekking for ecotourism purposes. The activities were predominantly hands-on, complemented by educational games.
In addition to academic practice and soft skill development, P2EH included community service activities led by the faculty. In Sei Nagalawan Village, the initiatives involved mangrove planting and nursery activities, training on producing dodol (traditional sweets) from mangrove fruits, and making crackers from jeruju leaves. At KHDTK Pondok Buluh, the activities included creating maps for ecotourism attractions.
Dwika, one of the participants, shared that the P2EH program was highly memorable as it allowed students to directly apply classroom theories and foster camaraderie among students and faculty. The P2EH committee and the USU Faculty of Forestry leadership hope that this program strengthens the relationship between USU and stakeholders in the practice locations.
Reporter: Dr. Achmad Siddik Thoha, S.Hut., M.Si.
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