Working together to protect the peat in Sebangau National Park

On the 3rd August 2020, UPT LLG CIMTROP together with the Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement (PKS) for the period 2020 – 2022 at the UPT LLG CIMTROP Office. This agreement continues the cooperative partnership that has been active for a dozen years.

The signing was attended by the Head of UPT LLG CIMTROP Dr. Darmae Nasir, M.Si, MA, Ph.D and his staff, and the Head of Borneo Nature Foundation Indonesia, Juliarta Bramansa Ottay and his staff. The event was kept brief considering the prevailing protocols regarding Covid-19.

“This cooperation agreement is not a new agreement, but a continuation of various collaborations that have existed for a long time. Whatever the obstacles, we will be able to overcome them because we already have a good relationship, and we have evaluated every obstacle and we anticipate how to solve it in the agreement letter,” said Head of UPT LLG CIMTROP, Darmae Nasir.

Darmae Nasir emphasized that the meeting also agreed on several additional points in the technical cooperation agreement. UPT LLG CIMTROP continues to work together, develop projects, and resolve any problems that arise.

“All external and internal constraints for the two parties have their respective mechanisms for overcoming them. The external parties in question are other parties who do not know about our work and this can be resolved with more intense communication,” he said.

Darmae Nasir hopes this collaboration will further enhance the strong relationship between CIMTROP and BNF. These two organizations can become more advanced, recognized and increasingly supported by national and international parties. In particular, they are specifically recognised by the International Peat Society (IPS) because these two organizations collaborate specifically on peat.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Indonesian Borneo Nature Foundation, Juliarta Bramansa Ottay said, BNF is always ready to support activities and research at CIMTROP related to orangutans, peat swamp forests, and biodiversity. In fact, BNF also supports capacity building for friends at Palangka Raya University (UPR) relating to peat and biodiversity.

“We also continue to support our partner institutions to continue managing their areas and contribute to the development of science and education, especially for students who are with our partners,” he said.

Arta added, BNF supports CIMTROP not only in research but also in helping to manage and develop existing assets. In addition, BNF is active in protecting the Natural Laboratory of Peat-Swamp Forest (LAHG), a special zone within the Sebangau National Park through the fire-fighting communities (MPA) and protecting it from various threats.

“We are also helping to restore burned land by planting and restoring peat soil through canal blocking. So the hope is that through BNF’s support to CIMTROP, LAHG will be more sustainable and preserved,” he concluded.