PORTALJABAR, GARUT REGENCY - Efforts to restore Tarogong Square's function as a green open space (RTH), a center for community activities, and a driver of the local economy have begun to be realized through the Bonsai Workshop and Education event held at Tarogong Square, Saturday (27/6/2026).

This activity, which is a collaboration between the Indonesian Bonsai Enthusiasts Association (PPBI) Garut Branch and the Forkopimcam of Tarogong Kaler District, is one of the initial stages in the arrangement of the Tarogong Square area to be more optimal as a comfortable, educational, and beneficial public space for the community.

Going forward, the Tarogong Square area will be redeveloped in stages through collaboration with the Garut Regency Tourism and Culture Office (Disparbud) and the Garut Regency Industry, Trade, Energy, and Mineral Resources Office (Disperindag ESDM). This redevelopment is aimed at strengthening the square's function as a green open space that still provides space for community economic activities, particularly for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and organized street vendors (PKL).

Furthermore, the Tarogong Square area is planned to become a more vibrant public space by hosting various creative and entertainment activities, such as musical performances on weekend nights. These activities are expected to attract more visitors and positively impact the local economy without diminishing the square's primary function as a green open space.

The Head of Tarogong Kaler Sub-district, Rakhmat Alamsyah, said that the arrangement of Tarogong Square was carried out by prioritizing a balance between environmental, social, and economic functions so that its existence can provide benefits for all levels of society.

"We hope Tarogong Square will become a comfortable, green, and welcoming public space. Furthermore, this area can also serve as a platform for MSMEs and communities to conduct organized activities, thereby boosting local economic growth without neglecting the function of green open space," he said.

The bonsai workshop and education session was chosen to open the program series because it aligns with the spirit of environmental conservation and the use of public spaces as a medium for education and community interaction. Through these activities, the public is encouraged to increase their awareness of greenery and utilize public spaces positively.

With collaboration between the government, communities, business actors, and the public, Tarogong Square is expected to develop into a representative public space, supporting social, cultural, tourism, and economic activities, while still providing a clean, beautiful, and comfortable environment for all residents.

(Garut Communications and Information Service/rka)