Environmental  Impact  Assessment/EIA

An Environmental impact Assessment (EIA) is an assessment of the possible impact—positive or negative—on the environment when a new activity/program is introduced in an area. The assessment  considers natural, social and economic aspects.
The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that possible environmental impacts are considered before deciding to go ahead with the program or designs the program to avoid possible negative impact.
EIA activities started in Block Cikedodong (consists of 4 villages) with identifying environmental factors such as river conditions, biodiversity (vegetation and wild animals) in each land category (e.g. forest, shrub, garden, paddy field, settlement).
Our approach is participatory meaning we work through local institutions and farmers, in fact the process of the Assessment has proven to be an efficient education process which teaches farmers to determine the quality of their environment and to manage it.
We established 9 SPL (Stasiun Pemantauan Lingkungan/Environment Monitoring Points) to observe  physio-chemical  aspects (in the river), 6 track for wild animal monitoring, and 44 plots for vegetation monitoring.
We work with the laboratorium of Banyumas Agricultural School to analyse  physical samples and with the University of Soedirman-Purwokerto, Faculty of Biological Science/Environment Lab. for chemical analysis (BOD/COD and pesticide contents)

9 Environment monitoring points were established in Block Cikedondong in relevant rivers/streams.

6 Wild animal identification tracks were established in Block Cikedondong representing various land cover/ecological types

44 of Permanent Sample Plots for vegetation identification and monitoring, represented of 4 types of Silviculture
 
The EIA team,consists of trees4trees staffs and farmer groups.  EIA team (farmers: Kohar, Kholil, T4T : Aris,Novi, Field Coordinator: Badrun)  at Watubelah river, before arriving at the upper course  to measure of water quality
 
Cihaur river is largest river in Block Cikedondong-Cilacap and is part of the scope of EIA study in Cilacap
Kedungwadas (monitoring point no 4) is the second largest river  in Block Cikedondong; the EIA team is here measuring the waterflow rates
 
Dulwarsito, farmer member of Kedungwadas sets up meter stick in monitoring point no 4 to measure the waterlevel at Kedungwadas river  Dulwarsito, measuring water flow use a pingpong ball and stop watch as a simple method which is introduced to the farmers. They also learn to analyse the results.
 
Sample of water from 5 monitoring points  to be analyzed of total suspended solids (TSS) which is an important factor in physical water quality  Novita with a student  practice measuring TSS at the laboratorium of Kalibagor Agriculture School
 
Badrun, field coordinator in block Cikedondong in  night observation of wild animals.  Gibug snake (Agkistrodon rhodostoma), one of the  nocturnal animals in Block Cikedondong found  in track no 10-m.
 
Bird watching in block Cikedondong found  20 bird species. There were 9 birds species categorized as Rare, Treatened, Endangered (RTE)  Tono, a farmer member of Cikedondong is also a local hunter. He taught us where to look and how to look in the night oberservation of wild animals.
Tree Planting

446.025 trees were targeted for planting in December-January 2009-10. Some of areas delayed  the schedule of planting because the rainy season started late. But in January planting got under way, first with West-Central Java and later in the month in East-Central Java.
 
Plot no 30 in Village Padamara_District Purbalingga, planted 650 Suren trees owned by Rislam Sutrisno.  Sakhidi, a farmer in Village Padamara District Purbalingga with his Sengon trees just planted in his plot (plot no 44).  Totally 650 Sengon trees were planted by Sakhhidi.
 
Kamil,  T4T field staff, discusses with Sarjono, the farmer group manager of Patemon, Purbalingga.  Suren trees planted in plot no 57 at Village Patemon, Purbalingga
 
Sugiyono, field coordinator Village Kaliori, District Banyumas with Supardi, a farmer who got 90 teak trees.  Teak trees at plot no.19 owned by Pujiono, a farmer in village Kaliori, planted in  between rice plant.  Totally  450 trees were planted in that area
 
Suren trees planted in plot no 15 owned by Sahrudin a farmer in Village Bulaksari, District Cilacap.  He got 233 trees from the program.  Tree labels indicate ownership and location of planting
 
Kamil, Trees4Trees field staff, explains to farmer how the tree labels are applied.  Supervising teak trees after planting in plot no 7, owned by Sakur at Village Bulaksari, District  Cilacap.
 
Sahrudin, a farmer in village Bulaksari, Cilacap, planted trees beside supporting poles.  Labeling of seedling after planting.
Education Program

We start the environment education program by assessing the students’ knowledge of the subject.   This year’s program started off in the Elementary School (Sekolah Dasar) of Cikedondong 1 located in Village Cikedondong, District Cilacap.
The purpose of the initial assessment  is to deliver educational modules that are appropriate in relation to the knowledge level of students in that area. Knowledge of the environment has proven to vary greatly villages and districts.
Assessment is carried out through interviews with randomly picked students, totally 30, in  Class 4 and 5
 
Elementry School of Cikedondong 1, located in Village Cikedondong, District Cilacap.  Students of class 5, listen to the introduction of Trees4Trees’ education program.
 
Kamil, interview a  student from class 5.  Vyta, local staff, interview a  student.
 
Robiyah a trees4trees liaison teacher, introducing environmental subjects to students.  Students of class 4,listen to the introduction.