25 April 2025
Anonymous Writer
FAHUTAN PR - The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), in collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) of North Sumatra and the Sustainable Ecosystem Foundation (YEL), organized a Workshop on Species Conservation and Strengthening Research Opportunities in the Batang Toru Ecosystem, along with a Book Review of "100+ Charismatic Flora of the Batang Toru Ecosystem" and "Orchid Identification Guide of the Batang Toru Ecosystem" on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Prof. Soehadji Hadibroto Auditorium, Faculty of Economics and Business, USU.
The event featured two keynote speakers: Novita Kusuma Wardani, S.Hut., M.AP., M.Env. (Head of BBKSDA North Sumatra) and Julius Paolo Siregar, S.Hut., M.Si. (Head of the In-Situ Conservation Division, YEL), who presented materials related to the ecosystem potential and conservation efforts in Batang Toru, as well as ecosystem research in the area.
In her presentation, Novita emphasized the importance of research collaboration involving local academics.
"We hope to see more research emerging from the hands of our own people, not just from foreign researchers. Through cross-sector collaboration, we can safeguard key species populations like the Tapanuli orangutan and demonstrate that conservation can be led by our own nation," she stated.
Meanwhile, Julius Paolo Siregar from YEL highlighted the still limited contribution of local researchers in Batang Toru studies.
"It is time we promote scientific research that not only unveils the region’s biodiversity but also benefits local communities and supports regional development," he said.
The event also included a book discussion featuring two reviewers: Prof. Nursahara Pasaribu, M.Sc. from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MIPA) USU, and Onrizal, S.Hut., M.Si., Ph.D. from the Faculty of Forestry USU.
The books' authors, Dewi Kurnia Arianda and Nursaniah Nasution, were also present.
"Each plant species documented in this book is part of the greater story of the richness and resilience of the Batang Toru ecosystem. This book was compiled with the spirit of recognizing, understanding, and protecting biodiversity that is often overlooked. Through this publication, we hope more people will realize that the Batang Toru forest is not just a landscape, but a home to a highly complex and invaluable web of life, which can only be safeguarded through science-based conservation efforts," the authors explained.
The workshop was conducted in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend in person or join via Zoom.
Through this initiative, USU reaffirms its commitment to promoting conservation collaboration and strengthening biodiversity research in the Batang Toru ecosystem for environmental sustainability.
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