19 August 2024
Syafrijal S.Kom
SERGAI – Managing appropriate waste in the mangrove area, the Community Service Institute (LPPM) of the University of North Sumatra (USU) and the USU Mangrove Science and Technology Excellence Center (PUI) formed a fostered village in appropriate waste processing in the mangrove area of Bagan Kuala Village, Tanjung Beringin District, Serdang Bedagai Regency (Sergai), Saturday (13/7/2024).
The activity was led by Ameilia Zuliyanti Siregar, S.Si, M.Sc, Ph.D with Prof. M. Basyuni, S.Hut, M.Si, Ph.D, Prof. Dr. Delvian, S.P, M.P, Dr. Netti Herlina Siregar, S.KM, M.Kes, Dr. Arida Susilowati, S.Hut, M.Si, Dr. Ridwanti Batubara, S.Hut, MP, Dr. Nelly Anna, S.Hut, M.Si, and Dr. Masitah Tanjung, S.Si, M.Si.
The arrival of LPPM and PUI Mangrove USU was immediately welcomed by the Head of Bagan Kuala Village, Safril, along with religious leaders and local communities, who fully supported the program implemented in Bagan Kuala Village.
The activities carried out aimed to identify the dominant types of waste and the main sources of pollution in the mangrove area, as well as to develop a sustainable waste management model.
Bagan Kuala Village was chosen as the research location because this area has an important mangrove ecosystem but is vulnerable to waste pollution. Plastic waste and other non-biodegradable materials are a serious threat to the sustainability of mangroves in this area.
According to Prof. Delvian, to achieve this goal, the LPPM USU team conducted various activities such as initial surveys, training, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD).
He said that the initial survey was conducted to identify problems related to waste in coastal and mangrove areas. And then the team inventoried the types and forms of waste based on categories, sources, and distribution patterns.
"This data is used as a basis for developing an appropriate and sustainable waste management strategy," he explained.
Then the Head of Community Service, Ameilia Zuliyanti Siregar conducted training and socialization to the local community which was the main focus of this activity. By providing a deep understanding of the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness and effective waste management techniques.
"This training includes how to sort organic and inorganic waste, as well as the application of the Reuse, Reduce and Recycle (3R) concept," she said.
She continued, the people of Bagan Kuala Village were very enthusiastic about participating in the training and discussion on waste management. So through this activity, it is hoped that collective awareness and active participation of the community will be created in maintaining environmental cleanliness and preserving the mangrove ecosystem.
In addition, this program can also improve the welfare of local communities through empowerment and environmental education.
She explained, as part of the community empowerment effort, the community service team also held eco print training from mangrove leaves and making key chains from sea shells. This eco print training teaches the technique of printing natural motifs from mangrove leaves on fabric, which can be used as products with economic value.
Furthermore, training in making key chains from sea shells provides additional skills to the community in utilizing abundant local resources.
With this training program, we hope that the community will not only understand the importance of proper waste management, but also gain new skills that can increase their income.
"The community service team plans to continue to monitor and evaluate the results of the activities to ensure a sustainable positive impact on the people of Bagan Kuala Village and the surrounding environment," he concluded.
On that occasion, as the Head of Bagan Kuala Village, Safril expressed his gratitude and hoped that this activity would be beneficial for the community, especially in this village.
"Thank you to LPPM and PUI Mangrove USU who chose and held this activity in Bagan Kuala Village," said Safril.
The activity carried out by LPPM and PUI Mangrove USU received a positive response from residents, especially from the PKK mothers' group, Remaja Peduli Pesisir, and the Serdang Bedagai Coastal Waste Care Community (MPSP).
After the activity, LPPM and PUI Mangrove USU handed over waste management tools, T-nets for trapping waste, and tools for making handicrafts from various shells and snails.
