Hello, Sobat Natura. As usual, at the end of the year, the Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) always provides updates on what we have worked on with partners and the government. 2023 is a quite busy year for our work in efforts to help protect tropical rainforests in Central Kalimantan, both with the people, communities, and government.
Apart from protecting tropical rainforests, BNF is also active in community empowerment and environmental education. Let’s look back over the past year.
1. SIX DISTRICTS IN CENTRAL KALIMANTAN GIVEN SOCIAL FORESTRY PERMITS
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ratified the Decree on Social Forestry for Agrarian Reform Land Objects and the Decree on Customary Forests through the Deputy Governor of Central Kalimantan, Edy Pratowo, for six villages in Central Kalimantan.
Read more: Six Regions In Central Kalimantan Granted Social Forestry Permits

The three sub-districts that have obtained social forestry permits under the Community Forest scheme are:
- Panjehang Village
- Petuk Barunai Village
- Petuk Katimpun Village
Meanwhile, three villages that have received social forestry permits under the Village Forest scheme are:
- Goha
- Pahawan
- Kasali Baru
2. ORANGUTAN CARING SCHOLARSHIP ACCEPTANCE

Orangutan Republik Foundation (OURF) collaborates with the Forestry Department of Palangka Raya University (UPR) and the Indonesian Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) to organize the OCS program, which has provided scholarships to students in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, since 2018.
This year, six students from the UPR Faculty of Forestry received OCS. The scholarship award ceremony was held last June at the Palangka Raya Peat Innovation Research Center (PPIG; Indonesian acronym).
Read more: Orangutan Caring Scholarship For Students of University of Palangka Raya
3. KLHK DESIGNS 15 TRADITIONAL FORESTS IN GUNUNG MAS DISTRICT
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has determined the status of 15 customary forests covering an area of approximately 68,326 hectares in Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan, Indonesian. As a result of this determination, Gunung Mas Regency is now recorded as having the largest area of customary forest in Indonesia. BNF Indonesia provided assistance to prepare the MHA Rungan proposal, which was carried out in full accordance with the regulations set by the Indonesian government.

The 15 customary forests were handed over to:
- Rungan Indigenous Law Community (MHA),
- MHA Dayak Ngaju Lewu Tehang Manuhing Raya,
- MHA Dayak Ngaju Lewu Tumbang Bahanei,
- MHA Dayak Ngaju Lewu Tumbang Malahoi,
- MHA Dayak Ot Danum Himba Atang Ambun Liang Bungai,
- MHA Dayak Ot Danum Lowu Tumbang Hatung,
- MHA Dayak Ngaju Lewu Tumbang Kuayan,
- MHA Dayak Ot Danum Lowu Tumbang Anoi,
- MHA Dayak Ot Danum Lowu Tumbang Mahuroi,
- MHA Dayak Ot Danum Lowu Lawang Kanji,
- MHA Dayak Ot Danum Lowu Karetau Sarian,
- MHA Dayak Ot Danum Lowu Karetou Rambangun,
- MHA Dayak Ot Danum Lowu Tumbang Maraya,
- MHA Dayak Ot Danum Lowu Tumbang Posu,
- MHA Dayak Ot Danum Lowu Tumbang Marikoi.
Read more: KLHK Designates 15 Customary Forest In Gunung Mas Regency
4. BTNS AND BNF ATTEND IPS AND MPS 2023

The 2023 joint meeting of the International Primatological Society (IPS) and the Malaysian Primatological Society (MPS) was held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysian Kalimantan. The week-long event marked the 29th global conference, which is held every two years.
The Sebangau National Park Agency (BTNS) and the Indonesian Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) attended IPS 2023 to deliver a joint presentation entitled “The Importance of Collaboration to Support Primate Conservation in Kalimantan.”
Read more: International Primatological Society 2023
5. NATIONAL NATURE CONSERVATION DAY 2023Â

Sebangau National Park Agency (BTNS), together with BNF, participated in National Nature Conservation Day (HKAN) 2023. This is our third time participating in this national-scale event, after we represented our partnership with BTNS in Kupang for HKAN 2021, in Bali for HKAN 2022, and in Central Kalimantan in 2023. Therefore, HKAN provides a significant opportunity to strengthen our cooperation agreements with the National Park Agency and other partners.
6. RAINFOREST FESTIVAL 2023

In commemoration of World Rainforest Day, which falls on June 22, 2023, the Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) Indonesia is holding the 2023 Rainforest Festival, which presents fine art installations in the form of educational forest exploration rides.
Apart from that, there was also a dialogue on the Climate Change Fatwa, which was directly attended by the Chair of the Institute for the Development of the Environment (LPLH) and Natural Resources (SDA) of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Hayu Prabowo.
7. ANAK SEBANGAU FESTIVAL 2023

Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) Indonesia continues to increase children’s and young people’s awareness of environmental conservation efforts by holding the Anak Sebangau Festival, which is held every year. This event is also a form of appreciation for local children by performing several artistic performances, such as theatrical and musical arts.
8. GRACIA ORANGUTAN GIVES BIRTH

Gracia, a 40-year-old orangutan, gave birth to her fourth child. The birth of this new orangutan child increases the population of orangutans, or what is usually called this umbrella species, in the wild. Gracia lives in the peat swamp forest of Sebangau National Park.
Read more: Good News Gracia Has Given Birth
9. ONE MILLION TREES

BNF has collaborated with the Sebangau National Park Agency (BTNS) to achieve our goal of planting 1,000,000 trees in the Sebangau National Park area affected by fires in 2015 and 2019. This year, 137,386 local plant seeds were successfully planted, with a total planting area of up to 123.84 ha.
10. REWETTING

To wet the peat, the construction of dams or canal blocks was carried out in former logging canals in the 1990s. There were 48 dams that were successfully built, with several types according to canal conditions. This effort was successful thanks to collaboration with the Sebangau National Park Agency.
Written by Yohanes Prahara, Content Creator and Media Liaison