Juliana Harsianti, Contributor The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 07/16/2008 12:29 PM
The peculiar-sounding plant names Lidah Mertua and Ekor Kucing may seem unfamiliar, but most people would recognize the two plants if they saw them.
And the place to see them is Kampoeng Djamoe Organik (KaDO), a herbal medicine village set up by Martha Tilaar, the owner of traditional cosmetics brand Sariayu.
Given the village is all about greenery and nature, its location is rather unexpected -- it lies in the middle of East Jakarta's industrial park in Cikarang, on a 10-hectare plot originally intended for one of Sariayu's factories.
But after the monetary crisis in the late 1990s, the owner chose to use the land to create a park featuring traditional Indonesian plants -- a project a long time in the making.
"Many people can't believe we first started preparing this place in 1996," said Iqbal, the operational manager of KaDO.
It took three years to convert the former industrial area into an arable plot of land and then plant the selected herbs and shrubs, he said.
In mid-2000, KaDO was opened to the public. Of the 10 hectares, four are dedicated to therapeutic herbs, flowers and fishponds, displaying a wide range of genuine Indonesian herbs with medicinal properties.
Among the park's visitors are families, school students and tourists, as well as those who are training in or otherwise studying medicinal plants.
Visitors are given information about the herbs, postharvesting processes and the plants' uses injamu (herbal medicine) and cosmetics. They can also learn how to prepare popular jamu recipes such as kunyit asam (turmeric and tamarind), beras kencur (rice and galangal root) and cabe lempuyang (chili and wild ginger).
When The Jakarta Post visited KaDO, families were leisurely strolling around the KaDO grounds. Children were running along the paths between the garden beds of medicinal plants. Others were looking at the herbs, reading out their names and asking guides about plants that sounded unfamiliar.
"As you can see, the extensive green areas allow greater freedom for children to play," said Neni, a guide at the village.
With such a vast -- and rare -- green area, KaDO also gives visitors the opportunity to grow and take care of their own plants and enjoy their harvests.
"Many people like growing quick-yielding vegetables that require little maintenance. All the plants here are organically raised, which means they are safe for our health and the environment," Neni said.
But the park has more than just plants.
"We also raise domestic animals here such as cows and goats," Neni said.
"Besides maintaining the ecosystem, they are a source of amusement for guests. A lot of city children have never seen cows or touched them, even though they may consume beef daily."
Indeed, the cows roaming through the village were soon surrounded by children, who watched and patted the animals with curiosity. The cattle seemed only too happy to step into the spotlight and pose with the children for group photographs.
"For those who prefer to visit for more than one day, we offer wooden houses as accommodation, which creates a rural atmosphere," Iqbal said.
Facilities for physical fitness and beauty care are available for those who wish to do yoga or take make-up lessons.
KaDO also seeks to attract corporate customers in Cikarang and Jakarta.
"Instead of going to other cities further away, company employees can take breaks and vacations here, in office groups or with their peers," Iqbal added.
And visitors do not go home empty handed -- KaDO gives away potted plants to be grown at home, such as Zodia, a natural mosquito repellent. And the best of it is these plants require no special care -- they can endure harsh conditions with minimum maintenance.
"Apart from their use for greening up the environment, such plants are beneficial to us," Iqbal said.
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