UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has inaugurated Prof Dr Sucipto Hariyanto DEA as a full professor. The awarding ceremony of the highest title as a lecturer was held on Wednesday, Dec 27, 2023, in the Garuda Mukti Hall, Management Office, UNAIR MERR-C Campus. On that occasion, Prof Sucipto delivered an oration entitled “Ecological Conservation of Biological Resources in Supporting Sustainable Development”.

Opening his oration, Prof. Sucipto said that the climate and environmental crisis has hit the world. Indonesia, a country rich in natural resources, felt a significant impact from this crisis.

“Now we feel it, for example, human overpopulation, eradication of diversity, deforestation, global warming and climate change,” he explained.

Conditions of Indonesia

Reflecting on Indonesia, Prof. Sucipto said that the environmental crisis is getting more worrying. “Environmental damage in Indonesia is getting worse day by day and has threatened human life,” said Prof. Sucipto.

Deforestation that occurs every year results in the loss of 21 percent of the 133 million hectares of forest. Meanwhile, marine biological resources are also affected by the environmental crisis with 30 percent of the 2.5 million hectares of coral reefs in Indonesia being damaged. It increases the risk of disasters in coastal areas.

Moreover, Indonesia is also threatened with loss of biodiversity. According to IUCN Realist, 76 species and 127 plants are at the highest threat status (critical). Then, 205 types of animals and 88 types of plants are in the danger category, while 557 animals and 256 plants are threatened.

All forms of damage, said Prof. Sucipto, will have an impact on the potential for natural disasters. “The impact of this natural damage will increase the risk of disasters from natural and human-made factors,” said the FST professor.

Crisis handling strategy

To deal with the crisis, Prof Sucipto said there is a need to mainstream biodiversity. In other words, the government needs to explore the potential of biodiversity and its utilization.

“We need to explore its potential and address its use. Because this is national wealth and an asset for sustainable development,” he said.

Then, Prof. Sucipto added that the government needs to issue a national strategy. This strategy aims to help all relevant parties carry out their duties based on the principle of protection.

“A national strategy is needed as a tool. “The aim is for all parties to strive for protection, preservation, and sustainable use in carrying out their duties,” he explained.

The national strategy, he said, is not only the responsibility of the government but also of all parties. In this case, the government is obliged to develop laws and regulations and implement parts of the national interest. Meanwhile, the community and related parties are obliged to carry out their respective roles.

“The government is obliged to develop laws and regulations regarding its use and conservation. Apart from that, together with other parties, the government will carry out activities that are of national or public interest,” he emphasized.

Author: Yulia Rohmawati

Editor: Nuri Hermawan

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