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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Family members and friends present the couple with the trees during their wedding ceremony.<br /><br />Instituted five years ago, the tree planting program has garnered both criticism and praise.<br /><br />The program was born out of a need to reforest regions that lose trees during the rainy season, landslides and other natural disasters.<br /><br />Pandita says he supports the program.<br /><br />[Pandita, Bridegroom]: <br />"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."<br /><br />More than 100,000 trees have already been planted in Kuningan.<br /><br />The Indonesian forestry department says there are more than 3,000 square miles of land in Java that need attention.
