Bunyu Island - PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Bunyu Field organized the Bunyu Environment Youth Gathering (BEYG) 2024 Program and attended by more than 50 participants, including school principals, teachers, and students, held at SMP Negeri 2 Bunyu on March 2, 2024. The BEYG 2024 activities aimed to introduce the ecosystem and mangrove seedling techniques within the school environment.

This program's implementation is in line with the application of the Student Pancasila Profile Strengthening Project (P5) in the Merdeka Curriculum at schools introduced by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek).

Senior Manager of PEP Bunyu Field, Andry Sehang, explained that through the BEYG 2024 Program, PEP Bunyu Field provides knowledge about mangroves, such as ecosystem understanding, types, the importance of mangrove preservation, and the economic value of mangroves in a region. "Following this socialization activity, we invite participants to innovate mangrove seedling and planting techniques for the next three to five months," said Andry.

The selected mangrove species are Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia Alba, and Ceriops Tagal or Mentigi. After the mangrove seedlings reach a height of 50 cm and have at least four leaves, the activity will continue with a joint planting of mangrove seedlings on World Environment Day, which falls on June 5.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Nakir, the Principal of SMP Negeri 2 Bunyu, embraced this initiative and conveyed gratitude to PEP Bunyu Field. The students under his supervision learn about mangrove conservation, covering topics ranging from understanding the ecosystem to seedling techniques. "Every year, our schools must focus on three subjects related to P5 in the Merdeka Curriculum implementations. Mangrove conservation initiatives are one of the three programs we undertake at SMP Negeri 2 Bunyu in partnership with PEP Bunyu Field," he remarked.

On the other hand, Dony Indrawan, the Manager of Communication Relations and CID at PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), outlined the company's commitment to continuously support the capacity building of human resources, especially the younger generation, through various programs and activities. "BEYG 2024 is expected to enhance students' and teachers' understanding of mangroves, which have numerous benefits for community life and the environment, especially in supporting carbon emission reduction. Additionally, mangrove trees have better economic value when processed," explained Dony.

"In the company's oil and gas operation areas in East Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and North Kalimantan, including the Bunyu field, we carry out various environmental conservation programs by planting endemic trees, mangroves and fruit trees, thereby offering numerous benefits that can be mutually enjoyed," he added.

To support mangrove conservation, PEP Bunyu Field also implements several other programs or initiatives, including designating the mangrove conservation area at the Loading Terminal as part of the Biodiversity Conservation Area of PEP Bunyu Field, planting mangrove seedlings in the Mangrove Conservation Area of the Loading Terminal, and providing education to the community about the importance of mangrove forests.

PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Bunyu Field operates under Subholding Upstream Regional 3, led by PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) in conducting upstream oil and gas operations and businesses by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Through collaboration with SKK Migas, PEP Bunyu Field, along with other subsidiaries and affiliates of PHI, carries out innovative Corporate Social Responsibility programs in the fields of Economy, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response to support sustainable community empowerment and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PHI's headquarters is in Jakarta. More information about PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.