KEHATI Choose Six Environmental Heroes

The award was given by the Yayasan KEHATI (Indonesian Biodiversity Foundation) in the Center Building Haji Usmar Ismail, Jakarta, January 28, 2015.

"For them my respect," said Emil Salim, Indonesia's environmental leaders who also became KEHATI Foundation. According to Emil, what has been done by the award-winning KEHATI commendable as high, because even what they do uncertain as big, but the way they do are correct. "They preserve biodiversity," he added.

The winners are:

1. Aziil Anwar from Majene, West Sulawesi, in the category of Prakarsa Lestari Kehati (Initiative Sustainable Biodiversity) for his efforts to grow mangroves on dead corals. 
2. Ir. Januminro from Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, in the category of Pendorong Lestari Kehati (Pusher Sustainable Biodiversity), because his business is managing proprietary peat forest. 
3. CV Arum Ayu of South Tangerang, Banten, in the category of Peduli Lestari Kehati (Care Sustainable Biodiversity), for their efforts to process local food sources and teaches many people.
4. Prof. Achmad Subagio from Jember, East Java, in the category of Cipta Lestari Kehati (Creative Sustainable Biodiversity), a researcher who encourage local food on marginal lands. 
5. Augustine Sasundu from Sangihe, North Sulawesi, the winner in the category of Citra Lestari Kehati (Image Sustainable Biodiversity) for his efforts to popularise bamboo music. 
6. KeSEMaT (Kelompok Studi Ekosistem Mangrove Teluk Awur/ Awur Bay Mangrove Ecosystem Study Group), students from the University of Diponegoro, Semarang, in the category of Tunas Lestari Kehati (Shoot Sustainable Biodiversity), for his efforts to make the mangrove as a lifestyle.

The winners are selected by a rigorous judging of 88 registered applications. The jury of five persons, named Prof. Eko Baroto, Ir Yusni Emilia Harahap, Agus HS Reksoprodjo, Dr. Asclepias RS Indriyanto, and Gesit Ariyanto strive choose the winners of strict predetermined criteria. KEHATI Award winner successfully emerged from 12 nominations previously selected.

"These criteria include a positive impact on society, the sustainability of activities, and the magnitude of the efforts made outside the duties and obligations that he has," said Chairman of the Jury, Eko Baroto. 

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Trustees of KEHATI Foundation, Ismid Hadad says, that the winner is a champion for daring against the current to want saving the environment. "Without government instruction or a helping hand," he said. 

Giving KEHATI Award is a way of KEHATI Foundation to develop environmental conservation efforts to grow bigger. "Since the implementation of KEHATI Award in 2000, I am always happy to see new faces that could be hope for biodiversity conservation," he added.

At the same location, 8th KEHATI Award Chairman Committee and Executive Director of the KEHATI Foundation, MS Sembiring says, that a strong message to be KEHATI conveyed on the execution of this event is to raise public awareness of biodiversity, especially on the issue of PEKA (Pangan/ food, Energi/ energy, Kesehatan/ health, Air/ water). "PEKA has become the focus of the strategic plan KEHATI for five years," he said.