The sky was clear. A bright blue color covers the sky. There were no white clouds, let alone dark gray ones. Even though the weather was very hot, I could breathe freely and fill my lungs with Balikpapan's clean air. Of course, the condition of one of East Kalimantan's busiest civilizations is inversely proportional to what I feel in DKI Jakarta. Lately, the air quality of the capital city has been in the spotlight.

Although there are many vehicles passing by, there is no long queue at the crossroads in the middle of Balikpapan. Oh how happy I would be, if I could feel this everyday, experiencing streets without long traffic jams.

People were busy passing by that morning, just as I was rushing to the Bukit Bangkirai Nature Tourism Area, located in Samboja, Kutai Kartanegara. The trip took approximately one and a half hours from the city of Balikpapan to Bukit Bangkirai via car.

Bukit Bangkirai Nature Park is an ecotourism area in Kalimantan managed by PT Inhutani Balikpapan. Operating since March 14, 1998, the inauguration inscription of this 510-hectare natural forest was signed by Ir. Djamaluddin Soerjohadikusumo. The forest of Bukit Bangkirai is rich in biodiversity. There are approximately 2,800 species of flora and fauna dominated by bangkirai tree species, 3,000 species of mushrooms, 13 species of rattan, 24 species of orchids including black orchids, 113 birds, mammals and insects.

It was at this location that the Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) conducted a Conservation Camp with the theme "Harmony of Nusantara- a Forest City in harmony with people and nature" which was also supported by several partners and WWF-Indonesia on August 18-20, 2023. This activity was attended by 18 schools at the Junior High School (SMP), Senior High School (SMA) and Vocational High School (SMK) levels from several regions namely Penajam Paser Utara, Samboja, and West Kutai.

This short camp was held with the hope of educating and raising awareness among the younger generation of the importance of coexisting with wildlife and preserving forests in the future capital city of Indonesia and its surroundings. Because this generation will later become residents and hopefully leaders in IKN.

WWF-Indonesia also participated in this activity as an effort to support the Indonesian government. Providing education on waste management and also watching the movie "Sejak Dini" which is about how to change our daily consumption habits or styles to ensure environmental sustainability.

Muhammad Ali Imron, Director of Forest & Wildlife, WWF-Indonesia advised, "The participants of the Conservation Camp are the young generation in the IKN environment, who can participate directly in preserving the environment and nature in and around IKN. They with the knowledge and skills gained during the conservation camp, are expected to be the capital to develop themselves to monitor the sustainable development of IKN."

Meanwhile, Pungky Widiaryanto, Director of Forestry and Water Resources Utilization Development, Nusantara Capital Authority said, "The conservation camp is one of the activities carried out by OIKN to invite the younger generation, especially junior and senior high school level because they will be the backbone and hopefully become the future leaders of IKN."