Pegang Sokok, Megawati Plants Trees On The UGM Sheath Courtyard

Fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri together with UGM Chancellor Prof. Ova Emilia planted a bodhi (ficus religious) tree in Balairung UGM yard, Yogyakarta, Wednesday (10/1/2025).ANTARA/Luqman Hakim

JAKARTA - The 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri planted a bodhi (Ficus religious) tree in the courtyard of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta, Wednesday, October 1.

Wearing a red and white striped shirt and maroon trousers, the PDI-P General Chair planted trees symbolically with UGM Chancellor Ova Emilia by dredging the soil using a shovel.

After the activity, Megawati, who was present as Chair of the Steering Committee of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), visited a number of product booths from UGM and BRIN research in the Balairung hallway.

The Dean of the Faculty of Forestry UGM Sigit Sunarta explained that the bodhi tree, which is included in the Moraceae family, was chosen because it was full of religious and philosophical meanings.

"This tree is special. In history, the Buddha of Gautama has achieved enlightenment under a bodhi tree. Hinduism is also considered a representation of a god," he said.

In addition, he said, bodhi trees have great ecological benefits.

The plant is included in the "fast growing species" category so that it grows quickly, shadyly, and plays an important role as a carbon absorber.

"In the current context when we talk about climate change, the planting of bodhi-like trees is very relevant because the carbon deposits are quite large," he said.

He said, although the bodhi tree wood is a lightweight class and is not widely used for construction, its symbolic and ecological value is even more important.

"Usually used for crafts such as masks, but the value of religiosity and its ecological benefits is more important," he said.

Furthermore, trees that have natural distributions in the Himalayans to South China (Yunnan), Vietnam, and North Thailand are also interpreted as symbols of determination, patience, protection, and generosity.

"The age can reach hundreds of years, the roots are strong, the title is big, so it provides broad protection and benefits," said Sigit.