PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government (Pemkot) inaugurated Cipamokolan Arena (Cipol Arena) 3 in Derwati Village, Bandung City, as a micro food forest location, Thursday (25/7/2024).

Cipol Arena 3 was inaugurated by the Acting Mayor of Bandung, Bambang Tirtoyuliono, who was represented by the Mayor's Expert Staff for Government, Law and Politics, Asep Cucu Cahyadi.

This location was inaugurated as a public open space, and became a greening area to restore air quality in the city of Bandung.

In his speech, Asep said that Cipol Arena 3 was an effort to strengthen food security that adopted the concept of agriculture based on natural ecosystems in the forest.

Cipol Arena 3 is also an educational facility for introducing small forests and their vegetation as well as a science development laboratory.

"Trees can absorb water so that this water does not go directly into the river. It is also related to expanding and improving the quality of RTH (Green Open Space) in the City of Bandung," he said when reading the written remarks of the Acting Mayor of Bandung.

Apart from that, the presence of Cipol Arena 3 can also function as a tourist destination for both local residents and tourists.

"There are so many benefits that can be achieved that this facility must be maintained together. Hopefully this will have a positive impact on society both economically and socio-culturally as well as the environment and ecosystem within it," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Bandung City Water Resources and Highways Service, Didi Ruswandi, said that the Cipol Arena 3 Micro Food Forest is part of a river-appropriate arrangement that has a protected function.

The location is in RW 7, Derwati Village, Rancasari District, with an area of 525 square meters this year.

There are a number of plants planted at this location, including 279 perennials, 125 spice trees and 140 flowering trees.

"With the presence of Cipol Arena 3, it can become a public space and protected space as well as an urban forest to mitigate climate change that is currently occurring. This public space can also bring residents together and become a tourist area," he said.