Ahmad Baihaqi\'s own journey in environmental conservation now qualifies him to provide guidance to the younger generation on how to protect the nature around us.
By
SUSIE BERINDRA
·5 minutes read
ARSIP PRIBADI
Ahmad Baihaqi
Ahmad Baihaqi, 27, demonstrates his love of his birth place by contributing to the preservation of biodiversity in Jakarta. His own journey in environmental conservation now qualifies him to provide guidance to the younger generation on how to protect the nature around us.
During the pandemic, Ahmad Baihaqi, commonly called Abay, frequently appeared as a speaker on webinars dealing with biological diversity. He describes the subject in detail, which is understandable, as he has been immersed in the issue of biodiversity since he was a student of biology at National University (Unas), Jakarta. With enthusiasm, Abay also expounds on biodiversity in green spaces scattered throughout Jakarta.
“City parks are attractive nature tourism spots. In this pandemic period, we can go to the parks around us. Listening to the chirps of birds lowers the stress level. When we get bored at home, we can go to city parks to watch lush greenery and have physical relaxation,” Abay told a Save Our Earth webinar held by the educational platform Marijo Belajar on Thursday (22/4/2021).
We want them to popularize biodiversity by means of a good communication strategy.
Besides that, Abay patiently and meticulously provides guidance for students in a nature conservation program in his capacity as an Education and Outreach staff member of the Kehati (Biodiversity) Foundation. The students affiliated with Kehati’s Biodiversity Warriors (BW Kehati) come from eight campuses. BW Kehati has 2,800 members from Aceh to Papua.
The father of one child often has to answer BW Kehati members’ questions via WhatsApp at nighttime. On various occasions, he encourages the younger generation to realize the importance of conserving biodiversity in nearby areas.
To boost the spirit of its members, BW Kehati arranges virtual training during the pandemic on topics such as writing articles, operating hidden cameras, monitoring basic techniques and counting wild animals. “We want them to popularize biodiversity by means of a good communication strategy,” he said.
ARSIP PRIBADI
Ahmad Baihaqi
Therefore, Abay directly guides BW Kehati members’ biodiversity observation activity in open green spaces. In 2015, he was BW Kehati’s Cap(na)ture Jakarta coordinator. The activity was conducted in cooperation with the Jakarta Green Map community. They observed biodiversity in 32 city parks in Jakarta. Amid the activity, Abay was finishing his research for his college thesis.
In one day, they made a six-hour observation in the morning and afternoon, starting at 6 a.m. In the field, Abay, as a photography buff, shared his knowledge with BW Kehati members. Based on that activity, they produced a book, Geledah Jakarta, Menguak Potensi Keanekaragaman Hayati Ibu Kota (Searching Jakarta, Revealing the Capital’s Biodiversity Potential).
“This book is an achievement that gives us data on the capital’s biodiversity. On this basis, we have been entrusted by the Jakarta Environment Office with the task of improving its data for 2018 and 2019,” said Abay.
We make them aware that many wild animals like birds, butterflies and dragonflies have ecological roles in nature.
As an observer concerned about biodiversity, Abay could not help but notice the many bird hunters frequently in action at city parks. The birds commonly preyed on include the madu sriganti (olive-backed sunbird). He was once even offered to buy a kacamata (white-eye bird) hunters had caught. Usually, Abay and his peers don’t directly blame the hunters. “We make them aware that many wild animals like birds, butterflies and dragonflies have ecological roles in nature, so that it’s very important to protect them,” he said.
Abay’s love of the environment originated in his desire to study biology. He was inspired to a large degree by his biology teacher, Widyawati, at the Sumbangsih Senior High School Jakarta. “In my early college study, I almost gave up, as I had to conduct research in forests. I wasn’t yet a nature lover either,” he recalled, laughing.
However, the experience of entering Mount Halimun Salak National Park made him love the environment even more. “There, I encountered the Javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch), which were large and easy to photograph. I got a strong urge to further observe wildlife, especially birds,” he said.
Ahmad Baihaqi drew a mural of biodiversity in Kebon Baru, Tebet, South Jakarta.
Since then, he has been exploring forests in various regions, like Bali, Makassar, Lampung and Padang. Normally, Abay stays in a forest for 16 days to observe the zone’s biodiversity.
Aside from joining campus activities, Abay has also been active with BW Kehati since 2014. At first. he went on a BW journey to Goa Jomblang, Yogyakarta. Being a participant in the beginning, he later turned into a mentor.
Amid his busy schedule, Abay and the Unas School of Biology guided residents in Bacili (Bantaran Ciliwung river plain) Creative Village, Kebon Baru, Tebet, South Jakarta, where they gave chili and tomato cultivation instruction. The idea is for residents to utilize their house yards to help meet their daily needs. Abay also introduced marine biodiversity through mural art.
His different activities saw Abay nominated for the Kalpataru environment award in 2016 in the category of Jakarta Environment Advocate. He was the youngest nominee. Despite his failure to win the award, his spirit has never been dampened. He is making every effort to safeguard environmental conservation.
Ahmad Baihaqi
Born: Jakarta, 15 September 1993
Wife: Ratna Wati
Child: one
Education:
- Sumbangsih Senior High School, Jakarta (2008)
- School of Biology, National University, Jakarta (2011)
- Master’s Biology Study Program, National University, Jakarta (2019)
Organizations:
- Coordinator of Cap(na)ture Jakarta, Biodiversity Warriors, Kehati Foundation (2015-2017)
- General Chairman, Biological Science Club (BScC) (2017-2020)
- Education and Outreach Staffer, Kehati Foundation (2017-present)
Achievements include:
- Rank II, Bali Birdwatching Race (2015)
- Winner of Forest Conservation Appreciation, Category of Conservation Cadre, Jakarta Province (2016)
- Nominee for Kalpataru Award, Jakarta Province (2016)
