TESA's Trail: Planting Trees, Growing Hope

 

As a manifestation of its commitment to environmental conservation, PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom), through its Telkom Employee Social Activity (TESA) program, recently held a reforestation drive in Tegallega Village, Cianjur, West Java. This initiative represents Telkom's concrete step in supporting the restoration of conservation areas while simultaneously fostering a culture of environmental stewardship among its employees.

Forest destruction in the Mount Gede Pangrango National Park (TNGGP) remains an environmental issue that requires serious attention. According to a 2017 report by Mongabay, the hunting of sonari worms has caused up to 20 hectares of forest destruction, including in the core zone, which should be free from human activity. This situation underscores the importance of collaborative ecosystem restoration efforts.

During this initiative, participants planted 150 endemic tree seedlings: Kisireum, Puspa, and Huru, three species of plants typical of West Java's forests that play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem stability. The selection of endemic trees ensured that the rehabilitation process adhered to the ecological characteristics of TNGGP and supported long-term biodiversity recovery.

This reforestation activity involved 65 participants, consisting of Telkom employees, Support Workers (TKP), representatives from the Forestry Service, and local residents. This multi-stakeholder collaboration demonstrates that forest conservation cannot be done alone; it requires the involvement of the community, government, and the business world to truly impact the project.

"This activity is not just about planting trees, but rather restoring the forest's ecological function as a life support system. Environmental awareness must go hand in hand with technological advancement and community well-being. Therefore, employee involvement in social and conservation activities is crucial. They are the driving force behind ensuring that each initiative delivers consistent, sustainable benefits that are directly felt by the community," said Telkom's Senior General Manager of Social Responsibility, Hery Susanto.

The TESA program is part of Telkom's Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) implementation, which focuses on community empowerment and nature conservation. Through this reforestation initiative, Telkom contributes to the achievement of SDGs 13 (Addressing Climate Change) and 15 (Terrestrial Ecosystems), while also strengthening employee engagement in social and community activities.

With collaboration between the company, employees, and the community, sustainability efforts established today can have a broader, more tangible, and lasting impact for future generations.