Environmental recovery efforts following the flash flood in Seuneubok Aceh Village, Bendahara District, Aceh Tamiang Regency, continue through various collaborative initiatives. Students of the Humanitarian Community Service Program (KKN) from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) and Universitas Samudra initiated a greening action by planting 60 pucuk merah tree seedlings at several points across the village.
The greening program was carried out during the middle period of the students’ community service activities and involved active participation from local residents. The planting was conducted through mutual cooperation between students and villagers as a shared form of concern for the environment affected by the disaster.
A total of 60 pucuk merah seedlings were distributed evenly across three hamlets in Seuneubok Aceh Village, namely Kerani Hasyim Hamlet, Petua Puteh Hamlet, and Imam Ma’un Hamlet. The planting locations focused on residential areas and along village road access points where vegetation had previously been damaged by the flash flood.
Humanitarian KKN student Shafira Nadiyanti said the activity was not only aimed at beautifying the village environment but also served as a small step to raise public awareness of the importance of preserving nature.
"The previous flood damaged and swept away many plants. Through this planting activity, we hope the village environment can become green again while fostering shared awareness about the importance of protecting the ecosystem," she said.
The flash flood that previously hit the area not only affected infrastructure and community activities but also reduced vegetation cover in several parts of the village. This condition may increase the risk of erosion and lower environmental quality if recovery efforts are not carried out immediately.
The planting process began with land preparation, determining planting points, and planting the seedlings together. Students and residents also watered the plants regularly every afternoon to ensure they could grow properly. Pucuk merah was chosen because it is relatively easy to maintain, has good resilience to environmental conditions, and can enhance the village landscape with its distinctive leaf color.
The Datok Penghulu of Seuneubok Aceh Village appreciated the students’ initiative in supporting environmental recovery in the village. According to him, the activity reflected the younger generation’s real concern for the sustainability of the village environment.
"This is not merely about planting trees, but also planting hope so that our village can become green again and more resilient in facing potential disasters in the future," he said.
Through this activity, the Humanitarian KKN students not only implemented a community service program but also strengthened the spirit of collaboration between universities and village communities in preserving the environment.
The greening program also supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on Climate Action through concrete action initiated at the village level and carried out participatively with the community.
