Palangka Raya, 12 October 2021
Together with the Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) Indonesia, Sebangau National Park Office (BTNS) has formed two community nurseries in the village of Habaring Huring, National Park management Section (SPTN) I of Sebangau National Park, Palangka Raya. These two community nurseries (CN) are each run by eight people from the Habaring Hurung Fire Care Community (MPA).
Lisna Yulianty, Head of SPTN I Sebangau National Park, revealed that the establishment of these CNs will expedite ecosystem recovery in the National Park, strengthening the role of buffer villages around its edges.
“National Park conservation requires support and participation from the surrounding communities. The establishment of CNs is primarily aimed at involving these communities, who will also benefit from this activity,” said Lisna.
He added that one of the Sebangau National Park Office’s main programmes involves planting in the park’s rehabilitation zone, which will be set out after extensive surveys to determine the best area for reforestation.
“That is, the land must be clean and clear, so it is free from land ownership conflicts,” Lisna continued.
BNF Indonesia Community Nursery Coordinator, Koesmiyadi, said that most of the Habaring Hurung community nursery members were a part of the Habaring Hurung Fire Care Community (MPA). In addition to establishing the two community nurseries, BTNS and BNF Indonesia also prepared a nursery with an area of ​​24 x 9 meters and the capacity to accommodate 20,000 tree seedlings in Habaring Hurung. Three types of plants are sown in the nursery, namely belangeran, pulai, and jelutung.
To further develop skills in the community, BNF Indonesia will provide training on seeding growth and planting. “This training will allow community members to select quality saplings, remove saplings, and take care of them until they are ready to plant,” Koesmiyadi tells us.
The construction of the Habaring Hurung Nursery is currently 40 percent complete and expected to finish in two days’ time.
On top of the two new CNs in Habaring Hurung developed with BTNS, BNF Indonesia has fostered the establishment of eight CNs: five in Kereng Bangkirai Village and three in Sabaru Village, Palangka Raya City. The total number of nursery community group members assisted by BNF Indonesia currently stands at 73 people from villages and sub-districts around the Sebangau National Park.
Besides representatives of BTNS, BNF Indonesia and members of the MPA Habaring Hurung, the CN formation event was also attended by the Head of the Bukit Batu Sub-district and the Village Head of Habaring Hurung.
The Head of Bukit Batu Sub-district, Hendrikus Satria Budi, states that his party strongly supports the establishment of CNs in this area, and the associated nursery activities will provide direct benefits to the community by means of supplementary income.
“Furthermore, these nurseries will contribute to ecosystem restoration efforts in Sebangau National Park,” Hendrikus concluded.
Writer: Yohanes Prahara/BNF Indonesia
Photos by Yohanes Prahara/BNF Indonesia
