Nusa Dua – Bali Tourism Polytechnic (Poltekpar Bali) held a special event titled Meet Sahil: Cycling for the Planet on Thursday, June 5, 2025, in celebration of World Environment Day. Taking place in the MICE Room of the Widyatula Building, the event featured 19-year-old Sahil Jha from India, the young environmental activist behind the global Save Soil movement. Sahil is currently undertaking a 20,000-kilometer cycling journey across 20 countries and 4 continents to raise awareness about the global soil degradation crisis. The event was attended by Poltekpar Bali’s academic leaders, faculty members, students, and the general public. On behalf of the Director, the event was officially opened by Dr. I Gusti Agung Gede Witarsana, S.ST.Par., MM., CHE., the institution’s Vice Director I, who also delivered the welcome remarks.
The highlight of the event was the symbolic planting of Sibang or Cempaka trees within Bali Tourism Polytechnic campus, underscoring the institution’s commitment to environmental conservation. Following the ceremony, Sahil delivered an inspiring talk on the urgency of preserving soil fertility for future generations. He presented compelling data on the impacts of soil degradation, including threats to food security and climate stability, and proposed solutions rooted in sustainable agriculture—such as the use of organic matter, crop rotation, and no-till farming. In his remarks, Vice Director I expressed deep admiration for Sahil’s mission, which began in 2022 across India and has now expanded into Southeast Asia. He emphasized that the tourism sector must also take responsibility in protecting ecosystems and affirmed Poltekpar Bali’s commitment to becoming a leading institution in embedding environmental values into tourism education.
This event marks a significant step in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Goal 15 (Life on Land). Poltekpar Bali reaffirmed its dedication to contributing through environmentally conscious curriculum development, active student participation in green initiatives, and cross-sector collaborations both locally and globally. The hope is that this event will ignite broader awareness and real action among academics and the wider community. Sahil’s journey is a testament to the power of small steps taken with sincerity and courage—a spirit that the young generation of Indonesia is encouraged to follow.
