Pesisir Selatan — The Regional Secretary of Pesisir Selatan Regency, Mawardi Roska, attended the Menoreh Mandeh Festival held in the Mandeh area of Tarusan District on Thursday (July 31, 2025). The event was also attended by the Vice Rector of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and the Director General of Forestry from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).
The Menoreh Mandeh Festival is an initiative of UGM Community Service Program (KKN) students as part of their community service program, which focuses on environmental conservation, community empowerment, and strengthening sustainable tourism in coastal areas.
One of the main agenda items of the festival was the mangrove planting activity along the coast of the Mandeh area. The planting was symbolically carried out by the Pessel Regional Secretary, the Vice Rector of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), and the Director General of Forestry, and was attended by KKN students and the local community.
Regional Secretary Mawardi Roska expressed his appreciation for the dedication of the UGM students who initiated the activity. He assessed that this festival not only has ecological value but also has a positive impact on local economic development and increased public awareness of environmental issues.
"This mangrove planting is a concrete step in preserving our natural environment. The Mandeh area is not only a tourism asset, but also a vital ecosystem that must be jointly protected. Activities like this serve as a reminder that development must be in harmony with conservation," said Mawardi.
He also emphasized the Pesisir Selatan Regency Government's commitment to strengthening cross-sector collaboration for the sustainability of coastal areas.
"The Pesisir Selatan Regency Government is very open to synergy with universities and ministries. We believe that this collaboration is key to promoting holistic and sustainable regional development," he added.
The Vice Rector of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) stated that student involvement in the Community Service Program (KKN) is a concrete form of the university's contribution to addressing community challenges. He hopes the collaboration between UGM and the regional government can strengthen the bridge between science and practice in the field.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Forestry emphasized the importance of preserving mangrove ecosystems as a natural barrier in coastal areas. He stated that such planting must be carried out systematically and sustainably to have a long-term impact on environmental balance and community well-being.
The Menoreh Mandeh Festival also featured various educational and cultural activities, such as exhibitions of local MSME products, traditional arts performances, and environmental discussions involving students and the local community. These activities served as a platform for interaction and mutual learning among stakeholders.
Through these activities, the Menoreh Mandeh Festival is expected to serve not only as a ceremonial event but also as a model for collaboration between the government, academics, and the community in coastal area management. This activity is considered to have significant potential for replication in other coastal areas with similar characteristics to Mandeh.
With the spirit of collaboration fostered by this festival, the Pessel Regency Government hopes that the Mandeh area can become an example of coastal area development that prioritizes environmental sustainability, community empowerment, and sustainable tourism development.
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