Lecturers from the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic Participate in Greening Former Mining Pits to Restore Nature at PT Timah’s Kolong Berakhlak Site
Yuke Mareta Ariesta Sandra, M.Si., a lecturer at the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic, was interviewed to provide further details regarding the initiative to revegetate *kolong* (former mining pits) and restore the natural environment at the
Lecturers from the Plantation Crop Production Technology and Precision Agriculture study program at the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic (Polman Negeri Babel) participated in an initiative to "green" a *kolong* (a former tin mining pit)—aimed at environmental conservation—at the "Kolong Berakhlak" site managed by PT Timah (Persero) Tbk on Tuesday (October 20, 2026).
The event was attended by Polman Negeri Babel lecturers Yuke Mareta Ariesta Sandra, M.Si., and Laily Muharani, M.Si., alongside representatives from the Environmental Agency, the Bangka Regency Women’s Organizations Alliance (GOW), and employees of PT Timah (Persero) Tbk.
When asked for comment, Yuke Mareta Ariesta Sandra explained that her participation was intended to foster a collective commitment to environmental sustainability. "Planting mangroves—particularly in coastal ecosystems—serves as a long-term investment to maintain ecological balance, support biodiversity, raise public awareness, and protect the environment," she stated.
Yuke stated that planting activities should not merely be ceremonial; they must be accompanied by ongoing maintenance, growth monitoring, and success evaluations to ensure that the ecological benefits of mangroves are realized in a sustainable manner.
"Mangrove planting must be followed by proper care to ensure the plants thrive. This can be achieved through the use of precision technology to support plant growth, allowing for more measurable environmental conservation efforts," she explained.
Furthermore, Yuke emphasized that support from various stakeholders—ranging from civil society organizations and the government to educational institutions—is crucial for fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.
Ultimately, such greening initiatives should not only benefit the ecosystem but also inspire the public to take an active role in preserving nature, starting from their own immediate surroundings, she concluded.
