Wedding Couples Plant Trees in West Java Indonesia

Residents in Kuningan have a law called "pepeling"-- which loosely translates to "couples caring for the environment"-- in which couples who register for marriage are required to plant and care for five seedling trees.

Typically, the bridegroom presents the five seedlings to the bride as a dowry during their wedding ceremony. The couple is required to plant the trees on their own land and take care of them as they grow.

Family members and friends present the couple with the trees during their wedding ceremony.

Instituted five years ago, the tree planting program has garnered both criticism and praise.

The program was born out of a need to reforest regions that lose trees during the rainy season, landslides and other natural disasters.

Pandita says he supports the program.

[Pandita, Bridegroom]:
"For the future I hope that Kuningan will be more beautiful and green in accordance with the government program. And other regions right now badly need reforestation to imporove the conditions."

More than 100,000 trees have already been planted in Kuningan.

The Indonesian forestry department says there are more than 3,000 square miles of land in Java that need attention.