Bukit Karamuntiang Declaration at Universitas Andalas Amplifies the One Million Foster Trees Movement in Support of SDG 15 and SDG 13

Universitas Andalas, together with the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Agriculture (IKA Faperta), has declared Bukit Karamuntiang as the site of the One Million Foster Trees Movement in an effort to strengthen environmental conservation and sustainable development. This initiative is closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land), which emphasizes the protection of terrestrial ecosystems, and SDG 13 (Climate Action), through concrete greening efforts and sustainable environmental management.

The declaration took place at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Andalas, Limau Manis Campus, Padang, on Saturday, February 7, 2026. The event was officially opened by the Governor of West Sumatra, Mahyeldi Ansharullah, and marked by the symbolic planting of one million foster trees as part of the greening movement initiated by IKA Faperta Universitas Andalas.

Governor Mahyeldi expressed his appreciation for the initiative led by the alumni of the Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Andalas. According to him, the movement is in line with the development policy direction of West Sumatra Province for 2025–2029, particularly in strengthening food security, advancing sustainable agriculture, and protecting strategic areas and watersheds. He noted that the activity represents a tangible expression of cross-generational concern in raising public awareness of the importance of environmental management and regional resilience.

On the occasion, Mahyeldi also emphasized that environmental conservation cannot be carried out sectorally, but requires synergy among the government, universities, alumni, the business sector, communities, and the wider public. He underscored that tree planting must be accompanied by a long-term commitment to maintenance in order to generate lasting ecological and social benefits for the community.

Universitas Andalas Vice Rector II, Dr. Hafrizal Handra, welcomed the program as a concrete contribution of higher education institutions to environmental conservation in West Sumatra. He explained that Universitas Andalas has nearly 500 hectares of land, most of which consists of campus forest areas that are expected to be preserved as green spaces while also serving as a model for the sustainable management and cultivation of productive trees.

Meanwhile, the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Andalas, Dr. Gusmini, SP, MP, explained that the movement adopts the concept of “Foster Trees.” Under this concept, each participant is not only expected to plant a tree, but also to take responsibility for caring for it as part of a long-term commitment to environmental preservation.

The declaration of Bukit Karamuntiang, which was also accompanied by the AgricultuRUN activity, reaffirmed the commitment of IKA Faperta and the Faculty of Agriculture of Universitas Andalas to green West Sumatra through the planting and maintenance of productive trees in a sustainable manner. Following the declaration, the Governor of West Sumatra, together with university leaders, regional officials, alumni, and environmental communities, carried out a symbolic tree planting to mark the official launch of the greening movement.

Through this movement, Universitas Andalas, its alumni, and the regional government seek to strengthen collective public awareness of the importance of protecting terrestrial ecosystems and responding to the challenges of climate change. This greening effort is expected not only to deliver ecological benefits for the environment, but also to support the sustainability of regional development through more responsible natural resource management.