Environmental sustainability has become a key focus for many institutions, with a variety of programmes underway to preserve and restore our planet’s ecosystems. These can include direct ecological interventions, as well as empowering communities to adopt more sustainable practices within their locale.
The Gunung Mas Regency Government seeks to protect the environment in its area through collaborations, one of which is formed with the Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) Indonesia. On the 23rd of May 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Jakarta between the Regent of Gunung Mas, Jaya Samaya Monong, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BNF Indonesia, Juliarta Bramansa Ottay.
Jaya S. Monong explained that this MoU relates to research, conservation and community empowerment in the Gunung Mas Regency.
“One effort made by the Gunung Mas Regency Government is to collaborate with the Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) Indonesia, facilitating the protection of ecologically important ironwood forest and the rehabilitation of ex-mining sites.”
He also hopes this agreement will represent a new, positive direction for nature, in line with Habangkalan Penyang Karuhei Tatau. This slogan is used to reflect a collection of ideals uniting people across Gunung Mas Regency, such as greater happiness and community welfare.
Activities conferred within the MoU include forest protections, environmental awareness, wildlife research, ecotourism development, and support for productive green economies.
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) Palangka Raya University (UPR)
BNF Indonesia also entered into a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at the University of Palangka Raya (UPR). This PKS was held on the 16th of June 2022 and signed by the Dean of FMIPA UPR, Siti Sunariyati, and BNF Indonesia CEO, Juliarta Bramansa Ottay.
The PKS signing was also attended by the Head of Cooperation at BNF Indonesia, Agnes Ferisa, and the Biology Study Programme Cooperation Party, FMIPA UPR Adventus Panda. This PKS aims to build a partner relationship, improving capacity in the Biology Study Program, FMIPA UPR.
The main points of agreement concern biodiversity expeditions, visiting lectures, field courses and practical work for students, as well as the development of Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM), a higher education programme for independent learning.
Written by: Yohanes Prahara, Content Creator and Media Liaison BNF Indonesia
