Jakarta, 23th March 2021 – Restoring the Sebangau National Park Ecosystem requires collective efforts. The government needs support from related partners to realize ecosystem restoration efforts in the region. Therefore, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) welcomes the collaboration between the Sebangau National Park Agency (BTNS) and Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF), for restoring the ecosystem of Sebangau National Park, Central Kalimantan.
This collaboration was conveyed by the Director General of Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems (KSDAE) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ir. Wiratno, M.Sc, Tuesday (23/03/2021), when meeting with BTNS Head Andi M. Khadafi, S.Hut, MSi, and the BNF Team in the KSDAE Directorate room, KLHK, Jakarta.
“This collaboration between BNF and Balai TNS is a form of collective effort. This is necessary because the government will not be able to do it alone. Therefore, the government works with partners. The government works based on regulations, partners work based on commitments made by donors,” said Wiratno.
However, he also reiterated two important factors in efforts to restore the ecosystem in Sebangau National Park. First, there needs to be community involvement around the forest. Second, recovery efforts must be based on four principles, namely evidence-based, experience-based, science-based, and precautionary principles.
Based on evidence, he continued, the efforts that have been made cannot be denied because they are measurable and are facts, not imaginary. Based on experience, the efforts that have been taken will be able to serve as inspiration and be replicated by others. Meanwhile, with the right scientific basis, recovery efforts will run on target because crucial factors will be known, such as the right planting location, planting age, planting time, seed quality, and precise planting coordinate points.
“The precautionary principle is also important. This means that we can’t just say to plant a million trees. We’ll start small first, 30 thousand for example, but the coordinates are clear,” added Wiratno.
Meanwhile, Head of BTNS Andi M. Khadafi, S.Hut, MSi, said the collaboration between BTNS and BNF to restore the National Park ecosystem was a follow-up to the signing of a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between the two parties some time ago.
The purpose of this collaboration is to support the optimal possible targets for ecosystem restoration in the Sebangau National Park area. Areas targeted for recovery are areas damaged by forest fires and areas logged during forest concession rights (HPH).
“The number of seedlings that are currently on stand-by is 100,000 tree seedlings. And, this year BNF will add another 160,000 seedlings to be planted in the Sebangau National Park area. The types of trees planted include Balangeran and other forest endemic plants in Sebangau,” explained Andi.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Borneo Nature Foundation, Juliarta Bramansa Ottay said the cooperative effort to restore the ecosystem in Sebangau National Park was an effort to support BTNS in restoring ecological functions in areas that were damaged by fire and forest tenure rights (HPH). This effort also coincides with the implementation of the One Million Trees project launched by BNF in 2020, together with BTNS and the Center for International Cooperation in Sustainable Management of Tropical Peatland (CIMTROP).
“The planting of one million trees is intended to restore the ecological function of the Sebangau forest, especially in terms of carbon sequestration and habitat restoration for species that are endangered by various causes, especially due to forest fires and illegal logging in the past,” said Juliarta.
Based on the results of BNF research over the last few years, it is estimated that there are 65 species of mammals, 172 species of birds, 11 species of amphibians, 46 species of reptiles, 55 species of fish, 22 species of endemic vertebrates, 6 species of endangered mammals and 6000 individual orangutans, which live in the Sebangau forest area.
Furthermore, Juliarta added, in order to support and succeed in achieving the goal of ecosystem restoration, BNF also carries out various activities, including community empowerment through the formation of nursery communities, outreach activities, building multi-stakeholder networks, encouraging community involvement in reforestation, increasing the participation of women, and promoting a green economy for local communities.
BNF is active in community empowerment and early childhood education in communities in the National Park buffer, especially in Kereng Bangkirai.
“We also work actively with the Regional Government of Central Kalimantan in an integrated effort to conserve the Rungan ecosystem,” added Arta.
In 2020, as many as 50,600 tree seedlings were planted, predominantly in the Peat Forest Nature Laboratory (LAHG) area, Sebangau National Park, in collaboration with BTNS and CIMTROP. In April 2021, BNF will plant as many as 40,000 seedlings in the Ruslan canal area, Sebangau National Park.
The Sebangau peat forest ecosystem restoration program was organized with support from Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Sebangau National Park, The Keeling Curve Prize, Uplink / Trillion Trees, Arcus Foundation, Christmas Tree World, Darwin Initiative, Disney Conservation Fund, Eurofins Foundation, Forest, Smoothie, Foundation Franklinia, Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC), Orangutan Appeal UK (OAUK), Orangutan Conservancy, Orangutan Outreach, RRC EA Wetlands and The Orangutan Project (TOP).
Written by Mohamad Burhanudin, BNF’s Communication Manager