BANDUNG, WPs. - The Environmental Community Lovers Group (KPLH) Pancaksuji of BEM Hima Pensatrada successfully organized a series of academic and outdoor activities titled KEMSAP “Kémah Sapeuting” 2026. As preparation before heading into the field, the committee held an intensive lecture session on “Sundanese Ethics and Survival in the Outdoors” on Friday, 5 June 2026. The preparatory session, held in the Cultural Room, was followed by a technical briefing, group division, and a simulation of logistics arrangement and packing.
This crucial session featured Prof. Retty Isnendes, S.Pd., M.Pd. (Téh Hanjuang), Professor of Sundanese Language Education at UPI, as the main speaker. The discussion was dynamically moderated by Aghisni Kamilatul Huda (Téh Ingwang), a PBS student from the class of 2024. In her interactive presentation, Prof. Retty Isnendes explored the essence of traditional values as the fundamental basis for a nature enthusiast. “Exploring mountains and forests is not merely a physical activity, but a cultural process that demands the application of forest ethics and noble foundational principles,” she emphasized. Through this statement, she underlined that outdoor activities must always rest upon the values of traditional courtesy and noble character.
“Our main principle in nature is to respect nature and to respect the local community. When we step onto a mountain, we are guests,” Prof. Retty explained. She presented five basic principles that must be upheld: respecting nature, leaving no trace of damage, respecting fellow hikers or wanderers, and maintaining a full commitment to protecting water sources and controlling the use of fire. All of these lead to the Sapta Etika Pecinta Alam, which places harmonious relations between humans, God, and the natural universe at its core.
Furthermore, she also shared practical advice regarding camping ethics and interaction with wildlife. “When setting up a tent, choose an area that has already been designated; do not clear new land. Maintain cleanliness, do not damage plants, respect the privacy of other groups, and avoid making noise that may disturb the serenity of nature,” she added. Regarding wildlife encountered along the way, she reminded participants not to feed them, not to chase them, and not to make noises that could frighten them. As a closing point in the survival material, Prof. Retty explained that when supplies run out in the forest, wild plants may become lifesavers, but students must be equipped with sufficient knowledge to distinguish between plants that are safe to consume and those that are poisonous.
After all of the value-rich theoretical and technical preparation was completed, the participants departed the following day for Mount Sembung Artapela to put their knowledge into practice through a real adventure on Saturday-Sunday, 6-7 June 2026. The Hima Pensatrada participants set out in the morning toward the Puncak Sulibra area of Mount Sembung Artapela via Cirawa. There, they took part in a series of interactive outdoor activities, ranging from hiking and shared meals (botram) to informal gatherings that strengthened bonds of brotherhood among members.
The implementation of KEMSAP 2026 is considered highly relevant to the effort to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, it supports SDG 4 on Quality Education through non-formal character learning outside the classroom, and SDG 15 on Life on Land through fostering young people’s awareness of preserving the environment and local mountain ecosystems.
Through the success of this annual agenda, KPLH Pancaksuji has proven its existence in shaping nature-loving cadres who are intelligent, ethical, and resilient. The meaningful value of the event was directly acknowledged by Solihat, a PBS student from the class of 2025 who joined a mountain camping activity for the first time. “For me, who didn’t know much and was joining this kind of mountain camping for the first time, the lecture made me understand much more. It was very beneficial for me, because we never know whether we may face something like this in the future, so it can become additional knowledge,” she said impressionistically.
This positive testimony became a sweet closing note, while also proving that the spirit of togetherness grounded in the motto of unity in word, direction, and shared fate has been successfully instilled by the entire organizing committee in order to safeguard culture and the environment in the future.
Contributors: Haidar Ali Dzulfikar, Dian Hendrayana