Jakarta, IO – Sri Hartini has been carrying out her duties as guardian of the Wonosadi Customary Forest in Kapanewon Ngawen, Gunung Kidul for decades. She voluntarily accepted this responsibilities from her father Sudiyo, before he died in 2011.
“Father left a message that moved my heart. Don’t pass on tears to our children and grandchildren, but instead bequeath them with spring,” said Sri, per BBC Indonesia, Tuesday (24/10).
At the age of five, she never misses a day to check out the forest, including the trees, clean water sources clogged by leaves and ensure that everything is well maintained.
Meanwhile, Sudiyo is known as a pioneer in preserving the customary forest which was almost wiped out due to illegal logging in 1965-66. At that time, the conditions were very difficult for farmers because there was not enough water for farming.
The majority of the population there were farmers. To restore the forest, Sudiro formed a ranger group called Ngudi Lestari, which he led himself. Since then, Sri has always been invited to go to the forest and learn important things about the ecosystem.
However, it was never a cakewalk for Sri. There were doubts about her when she first assumed her duties as chief ranger due to gender bias.
“In the past, many people doubted that I was qualified to be chief ranger because I am a woman,” she recalled.
Read: HexaHeroes Ready To Make Indonesia Proud At The Trifecta Weekend Spartan Race In Malaysia And Greece
But she always remembered his father’s message to continue protecting the forest. That was the reason that motivated her to undertake the task of leading the ranger group consisted exclusively of men.
“Like it or not, I have to be able to do it. I believe that God will assist us in our efforts to preserve the nature,” she said.
The Wonosadi Customary Forest covers around 25 hectares and is located in Beji village, Ngawen district, Gunungkidul regency, Yogyakarta. There is a diversity of flora and fauna there, including hundreds-year-old tamarind (Tamarindus indica) trees. (bp)