PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government is accelerating greening through the Public Space and Green Open Space Rehabilitation Program (Rindu Rindang) as a solution to address the water crisis and hydrometeorological disasters, marked by the first tree planting in RW 09, Pasirwangi Subdistrict (22/7/2026).

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said that tree planting is a long-term investment to maintain groundwater reserves and increase environmental resilience to climate change.

According to Farhan, the area of green open space in Bandung City is still below 15 percent, so the addition of vegetation must continue to be carried out.

"The gap between physical development and reforestation is still far behind. But efforts must continue. Our green open space is still below 15 percent. Therefore, every tree planting is crucial to ensure continued vegetation growth and a significant increase in the green open space index," Farhan said.

He appreciated the initiative of the residents of RW 09 Pasirwangi who started the greening movement and received support from the Bandung City Government.

"I always say that if the community has an initiative, the government is ready to support it. This approach is much more effective because the community shares ownership and responsibility for the development," he said.

Farhan reminded that green areas need to be protected from conversion so that development remains balanced with environmental sustainability.

He also invited the public to make reforestation a disaster mitigation measure to reduce the risk of flooding, drought, and the impacts of climate change.

"We must build a disaster-resilient society. Hopefully, we'll never be tested by a disaster, but we must still be prepared. One way to do this is by preventing disasters through reforestation, as we're doing today," he said.

Farhan cited the swift handling of nearly 100 fallen trees due to strong winds on April 3, allowing community activities to continue as normal.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bandung City Regional Disaster Management Agency, Didi Ruswandi, said that 13 sub-districts and 24 urban villages are at risk of experiencing a clean water crisis.

Data from the Bandung City Regional Disaster Management Agency recorded the potential for a water crisis to impact 114 RW (neighborhood associations), 167 RT (neighborhood associations), and 6,353 families or around 23,379 people.

Didi explained that the water needs of affected residents reached around 331,695 liters per day, or the equivalent of 70 water tankers per day.

"Relying solely on clean water distribution would be very costly. The permanent solution is to increase water absorption through reforestation and the addition of green open spaces," said Didi.

He added that the Bandung City Regional Disaster Management Agency implemented a capillary irrigation method to ensure optimal plant growth during the dry season.

The Rindu Rindang program will run until October 2026 through tree planting, public space rehabilitation, and disaster education for the community.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/bhf)