Article written by: Kaoem Telapak
on May 12, 2022
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Hapsoro, One of Founders of Kaoem Telapak, Receive Environment and Forestry Activist Award

Written by : Sarah Megumi

Hapsoro was an activist who consistently fought for the environment and forestry until the end of his life. He is one of founders of Kaoem Telapak.

Hapsoro, during his lifetime, was at the forefront of protecting the remaining forests in Indonesia. Hapsoro exposed the practice and fraud of forest exploitation by the financiers in a unique way. He does not hesitate to go to the field to find evidence and data on illegal logging, and report it to the authorities.

From Sumatra, Kalimantan to Papua, from swamp forests, mountains to dipterocarpaceae forests are explored, including breaking into HPH locations suspected of timber theft. Internationally, he campaigns to stop the purchase of illegal timber of unclear origin from Indonesia.

In 2009, Hapsoro started to care for the river through Komunitas Peduli Ciliwung (KPC-Bogor), which every Saturday picks up bags of rubbish from the Ciliwung river. KPC’s activities also expanded to planting riverbanks with perennials such as nyamplung and other perennials.

At the age of 41, Hapsoro passed away. Hapsoro left behind a wife, Yuniken Mayangsari, and three children.

Hapsoro, one of the founders of Kaoem Telapak

On 19 August 2021, the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya, gave awards and appreciation to the heirs or families in the event Prayer for Friends and Awards to Fighters for Environment and Forestry. One of the awards was given to Hapsoro.

As reported on the Mongabay page, there were several figures remembered, including environmental activists, forestry activists, and environmental and forestry innovators. Environmental and forestry activists such as Emmy Hafild (1958-2021), MS Zulkarnaen (1955-2019), Chairil Syah (1962-2021), Hapsoro (1971-2012), Den Upa Rombelayuk (1945-2019), Kus Saritano (1973-2016), Agung Nugraha (1969-2021), and Dedi Mawardi (1963-2021).

For environmental innovator and environmental extension worker Maman Suparman (1950-2021), Environmental Innovator from Academician Linawati Harjito (1962-2021), Environmental Innovator, Songwriter of Mars Rimbawan, R. Noto Sukoco and Yahya Bahram.

According to Siti, these 12 environmental and forestry fighters, both as activists and innovators are consistent, tirelessly dedicating their commitment and lives to protecting the earth. They also fight for a good and healthy environment, sustainable forests, and the advancement of environmental democracy in Indonesia.

Kaoem Telapak welcomes and appreciates the award given by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) to alm Hapsoro and family. Several testimonials also came from Kaoem Telapak members, such as from Ery Damayanti, Ridzki Rinanto Sigit, Hari Kartiwa, Ambrosius Ruwindrijarto and Mardi Minangsari.

Mardi Minangsari, President of Kaoem Telapak, said that Hapsoro was a persistent person “Hapsoro really deserves this award, because he is one of the environmental activists who is really firm and diligent in fighting for what he feels needs to be done and needs to happen to save the environment and forestry, so we need more people like Hapsoro”, said Minang.

Referensi pendukung: Mongabay