UNP Biology Department PKM Team Holds Photography Training For Biodiversity Conservation In Nagari Kasang

Padang – In order to carry out one of the tridharma of higher education in the form of Community Service (PKM), the PKM Team of the Department of Biology, Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) conducted photography training as an effort to conserve Biodiversity in Nagari Kasang, Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra.

The activity chaired by Sandi Fransisco Pratama M.S presented speakers Reki Kardiman, Ph.D as an expert in Natural Resources Conservation and Relsas Yogica M. Pd as an expert in Media and Learning Innovation.

According to Sandi Fransisco Pratama M.Sc, the implementation of this PKM is a grant from the Annual Work Plan and Budget (RKAT) from Padang State University in 2024. The service team consists of Reki Kardiman P.hD., Rijal Satria P. hD, and several students, Dwi Khayrun Nissha, Hijratul Hasanah, Novicka Putri Anggraeni, Arvy Anggara, Nagra Aulia Valofi, Mhd. Alfaris Pratama, Arya Bintang Ramadhan and Muhammad Nazif Zen.

“Currently, Nagari Kasang has well-preserved biodiversity, so it is very important to maintain and preserve it. One way to preserve it is by introducing this diversity to students from an early age. Photography training is one of the fun methods to introduce and document this diversity,” he said in a written statement received by UNP Public Relations, Tuesday (30/7/2024).

In the Fun Photography Activity on Biodiversity, Wali Nagari Kasang Ali Buzar Tanjung explained that the activities carried out by the Biology Department were very beneficial for the younger generation in Nagari Kasang.

“Nagari Kasang is directly adjacent to Padang City, and as an area adjacent to the city, cultural transfer takes place easily and quickly. So it is important to provide a positive platform so that cultural transfer does not have a negative impact. This activity is one of the positive platforms for the younger generation in Nagari Kasang,” he explained.

Sri Wahyuni as the Principal of SDN 19 Batang Anai, where this activity was held, was very supportive of the implementation of this activity. According to her, it is important to collaborate between schools and universities to improve the resources of students and teachers.

In this activity, the resource person delivered material related to the introduction of biodiversity and the importance of protecting biodiversity. Furthermore, the second material presented material on photography techniques in animals and plants. To improve photography skills, photography practices were also carried out around the PKM location.

As a continuation of this PKM activity, the PKM team collaborates with schools to carry out animal and plant photography competitions in the future. This activity is expected to motivate students to document various types of plants and animals in the surrounding environment.