Medi Bastoni, an Indonesian man who has embarked on the arduous task of walking backwards from his hometown to the capital Jakarta, a distance of over 700 km.
During his trip, he hopes to raise awareness of deforestation and to meet the country's President Joko Widodo. According to Reuters, Bastoni, 43, wants to plant a seed he wishes to receive from the president, on Mount Wilis, a volcano in East Java province.
The Indonesian activist kicked off his journey on July 18 and crossed over 200 kilometers so far. He is carrying only snacks and water, and a rear-view mirror attached to his backpack.
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Bastoni said along the way, supporters cheer him on, offer him meals or a place to stay overnight, and even give him some donations which he keeps to support his eco-friendly movement.
The activist walks at least 20-30 km a day, hoping to arrive in Jakarta on July 17, the Independence Day. He didn't receive any invitation to meet the president yet, but he believes that the situation will change once Widodo hears the news of his daunting trip.
Mount Wilis, a 2,500-meter volcano, is severely affected by the deforestation works caused by the urban development over the past years.
Indonesia has the third biggest tropical forest region in the world, yet it is the fifth biggest producer of global warming emissions mainly triggered by deforestation.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
