If there is any foreign diplomatic mission in Nairobi that has remained entirely committed to greening Kenya’s Karura Forest, it is the Indonesian Embassy, led by Dr. Hary Saripudin, the ambassador from Southeast Asia’s Indonesia.

Drawing lessons from the Bogor Botanical Gardens, located in Bogor, Indonesia, 60 km south of central Jakarta, the Indonesian mission celebrated this year’s 79th anniversary of their independence through a tree-growing ceremony in Karura, a tradition they have perfected during major Indonesian holidays.

The Gardens in Indonesia are renowned for their role in conservation and botanical research. They are also a popular destination just like Karura, for visitors who wish to walk and learn about and appreciate the country’s diverse plant life.

“This symbolic gesture of tree-growing in Karura Forest is a testament to the Embassy’s commitment to giving back to nature,” said Dr. Hary Saripudin at Karura Forest on Wednesday.

Tree planting is a series of activities the embassy undertakes when commemorating such days. The mission planted seeds of two tree species: the Spathodea campanulata, known as the Nandi flame, and the Markhamia lutea, the Nile tulip, a tropical African tree common in the Lake Basin and highland areas of East Africa.

Peter Njue, the Friends of Karura Forest Operations Manager, expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian team for their care for the environment and willingness to contribute to giving back to nature through tree planting.

Kenya and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1979, and this year marks the 45th anniversary of their relationship.

“The Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi is consistent in its efforts to mainstream environmental issues in its activities, especially through its cooperation under the framework of UNEP,” said Saripudin after the tree planting.