UNAIR NEWS – Nine students from Universitas Airlangga’s Learning with Community (BBK) 7 program, assigned to Bedahan Village in Babat Subdistrict, Lamongan Regency, took part in a community clean-up of the public cemetery and a service activity to remove water hyacinth. The joint effort was carried out at a tertiary drainage channel in Bedahan Village on Friday (Jan. 9, 2026). Starting at 7:00 a.m. local time, the activity reflected the students’ commitment to environmental conservation and flood risk reduction, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Cross-sector collaboration to protect the village environment
The community service initiative was led by the Commander of the Babat Military Rayon Command (Koramil) 0812/10, Capt. Czi Slamet, together with Koramil personnel. The activity brought together UNAIR students, Koramil Babat 0812/10, members of the Subdistrict Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimcam), and residents of Bedahan Village. Those involved included Babat Subdistrict Head Noman Kresna Martha Sena, Koramil Babat officer Pelda Akram, the Babat Police Chief, representatives from the Water Resources Agency, Babat Subdistrict staff, police officers, and local residents. This broad collaboration highlighted strong coordination among academics, government officials, security forces, and the community in maintaining the village environment.
The main focus of the activity was clearing water hyacinth that had clogged the tertiary drainage channel. The accumulation of water hyacinth can disrupt water flow, heighten flood risks during the rainy season, and block sunlight from reaching the water. Through this effort, BBK 7 students gained direct exposure to grassroots environmental challenges while contributing to preventive action.
Inspiring SDG-based sustainable initiatives
The widespread growth of water hyacinth observed on site later inspired BBK 7 UNAIR students to design a follow-up program. As a continuation, the students plan to organize training on processing water hyacinth and other organic waste into fertilizer with economic value using a biopore composter method. The initiative is expected to not only address environmental concerns but also provide additional economic benefits for the community.
Babat Subdistrict Head Noman Kresna Martha Sena expressed appreciation for the participation of BBK 7 UNAIR students. “I am pleased to see BBK 7 UNAIR students actively engaging and blending in with the Bedahan Village community today. I hope this activity provides valuable lessons that the students can carry forward,” he said.
Through their involvement in community service and follow-up waste management initiatives, BBK 7 UNAIR students have demonstrated their role as agents of change in supporting sustainable development at the village level. The effort also reflects the implementation of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Author: BBK 7 Students, Bedahan Village, Babat, Lamongan
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
