Mayor of Bandung Attends Eling Earth Festival SBM ITB with 11 Bandung City Communities**
The School of Business and Management at the Bandung Institute of Technology (SBM ITB) once again reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by organizing the Eling Earth Festival.
The event, which took place on Sunday (18/8), aimed to raise awareness and concern for the environment among the public.
This festival featured cross-sector collaboration, involving 11 environmental activist communities, artists from Bandung, the Bandung City Government, and the West Java and Bandung City Tourism Offices.
The Eling Earth Festival is part of SBM ITB's community service program, realized through the Circular Dago initiative.
Circular Dago is a social innovation designed to manage waste more sustainably, in line with the Environmental Management System (EMS) course taught at SBM ITB.
Through this program, SBM ITB aims to encourage the community to care more about the environment and support the creation of a circular economy.
The festival was opened by Prof. Dr. Ir. Ignatius Pulung Nurprasetio, M.SME, Dean of SBM ITB.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Pulung emphasized the crucial role of the business world in environmental sustainability.
"Eling Earth is not just a festival; it is our responsibility as business people to care for the earth. We invite all parties to collaborate in circular economy efforts, where waste is no longer a problem but can be transformed into renewable energy that benefits society," he said.
Additionally, Deny Wily Junaedi, Ph.D., Secretary of Community Service at the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) ITB, expressed appreciation for SBM ITB's role in environmental empowerment efforts.
"We are very grateful to the SBM ITB team for their extraordinary initiative, including the program of sending professors to 3T (remote, disadvantaged, and outermost) regions to support the development of those areas.
Initiatives like Circular Dago are concrete examples of implementing social research in community service," he added.
On the same occasion, Bandung Mayor, Ir. Bambang Tirtoyuliono, M.M., highlighted the importance of the tourism and service sectors in increasing regional revenue.
Bambang explained that tax revenue from the tourism sector in Bandung in July 2024 reached a significant figure, ranging between 4-5 billion rupiahs.
"Festivals like Eling Earth not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also support the promotion of Bandung's tourism, particularly in revitalizing tourist attractions such as Babakan Siliwangi, which has now become a center for education and recreation," he explained.
Circular Dago, as one of the main initiatives of this festival, is expected to become a model that can be applied in other areas of Bandung or beyond. Circular Dago combines community-based tourism concepts with environmental conservation efforts, where nature conservation becomes a part of the local community's life and provides an educational experience for visitors.
The main agenda of the Eling Earth Festival was "Green Paradise," a Green Alley Tour that invited participants to explore small alleys from Dago Tea House to Babakan Siliwangi.
SBM ITB students were invited to observe the environmental conditions from various economic classes, stopping at three points filled with environmental activists. This activity provided participants with the opportunity to understand the social and economic differences in the area and appreciate the community's efforts to protect the environment.
At the end of the Green Alley Tour, participants were greeted with the artistic attraction "Jaga Bumi Jaga Lembur," a performance honoring the gift of nature, especially water and the environment. Additionally, the Eling Earth Festival also featured an exhibition of innovative products from SBM ITB lecturers and a traditional Jaipongan dance performance as a form of appreciation for local Sundanese culture.
Not only did it raise environmental awareness, but the Eling Earth Festival also served as a platform to introduce environmental activists who have significantly contributed to nature conservation.
The event was also attended by 200-300 SBM ITB students. "The role of the younger generation is crucial in facing future environmental challenges. Students, through their creativity, must become agents of change and help shape a sustainable future economy," said Melia Famiola Hariadi, Ph.D., the head of the teaching team for the Environmental Management System course.
The enthusiasm of SBM ITB students for this event was also evident. Many of them felt fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate directly with environmental activists. "We are always taught about environmental issues in class, but the chance to take real action is invaluable. Here, we can learn directly from the activists and work together to create real change," said Kayla and Nissa, SBM ITB students from the 2022 class.
This program is also a realization of the Community Service initiative by SBM lecturers Melia Famiola, N. Nurlaela Arief, Salfitrie Maryunani, Amilia Wulansari, and Rahmadita Maharani. The event was also supported by PT PLN Indonesia Power.
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cimahi.inews.id: Walikota Bandung Hadiri Festival Eling Earth SBM ITB Bersama 11 Komunitas
liputanbandung.com: Walikota Bandung Hadiri Festival Eling Earth SBM ITB bersama 11 Komunitas Kota Bandung
