Yogyakarta, August 4th 2025 – The Technology for Sustainable Development Master Program (MTPB) at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a community service activity (PkM) in the Kali Grojogan area, Nayan Hamlet, Yogyakarta. This PkM activity also served as a merti kali (river purification) ceremony, a traditional ritual held by the local community as an expression of gratitude for the existence of rivers and water sources, as well as an effort to preserve the environment.
One of the key activities was a talk show session featuring speakers from the MTPB program and local government representatives. The government represented the Commitment Making Officer for Operation and Maintenance (PPK OP) II / Secretariat of Technical Recommendation (Rekomtek) from the Serayu Opak River Basin Agency (BBWS Serayu Opak).
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Agus Maryono, IPM., ASEAN Eng., during the talk show, presented on the ecological aspects of riverbank boundaries. Then, Ir. Agus Prasetya, M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D. discussed waste management along riverbanks. Finally, the PPK OP representative explained the socialization of river boundaries and relevant technical regulations (rekomtek).
In addition to the talk show, a series of merti kali ceremonial activities were also conducted, including symbolic tree planting, endemic birds’ realease, and the installation of markers and educational signboards. The community showed great enthusiasm for the event, especially as it was supported by the government through educational outreach on the mechanisms and regulations related to environmental sustainability management.
This event opens opportunities for developing tradition-based green events, where ecological awareness grows hand-in-hand with the preservation of local culture. As a follow-up to the socialization efforts, there will be technical assistance in waste management and the implementation of household-level composting.
Tags: environmental sustainability, merti kali, Nayan Hamlet, technology, sustainable development, green event, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 15: Life on Land, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Author: Siti Muyasaroh