By Heru Asprihanto
WONOGIRI, Indonesia (Reuters) – Indonesian eco-warrior Sadiman, once considered a villager, has gone bald on green hills after 24 years of effort and made water resources available in the drought-prone mountain region where he lives.
The 69-year-old was affectionately addressed as ‘mbah’ or ‘grandfather’ and worked tirelessly to plant trees in the hills of Central Java, after the fires cleared the land for the cultivation of its rivers and lakes.
“I thought to myself, if I don’t plant banyan trees, this area will dry up,” Sadiman said, wearing his trademark ranger hat and safari shirt, which, like many Indonesians, goes by one name.
“In my experience, banyan and ficus trees can store a lot of water.”
The long and widespread roots of at least 11,000 banks and ficus trees planted by Sadiman over 250 acres help conserve groundwater and prevent soil erosion.
Thanks to his efforts, fountains were formed where once there were arid and arid lands, they led water to houses and irrigated farms.
At first, few residents of the town appreciated his work.
“People made fun of me for bringing banyan tree seeds to town, because they felt uncomfortable because they believe there is strong drink in these trees,” Sadiman added.
Some even thought he was a crazy man because he exchanged trees for the goats he raised, one villager, Warto, said.
“In the past, people thought he was crazy, but now look at the result,” Warto added. “He is able to provide clean water to meet the needs of the people in various towns.”
Sadiman also finances his work through a nursery with plants such as cloves and jackfruit that he can sell or exchange.
Lack of rain in the area where he planted trees once limited farmers to a single crop per year, but now there are a large amount of water resources, he says.
“I hope the people here can prosper and live happily. And do not burn the forest again and again,” Sadiman added with a twinkle in his eye.
(Reporting by Heru Asprihanto and Angie Teo; Edited by Karishma Singh and Clarence Fernandez)