PT GAN Conducts Agroforestry Planting in Ambawang Protected Forest
RESTORATION: PT GAN, collaborated with Muara Baru Forest and Village Management Unit, carried out a degraded peat forest restoration activity with an Agroforestry pattern in the Ambawang Protected Forest, Kubu Raya, on Thursday (11/25)
PONTIANAK - PT Graha Agro Nusantara (GAN) conducted a tree planting activity. This initiative, undertaken by the plantation company located in Sungai Raya Subdistrict, Kubu Raya, was carried out in partnership with the Kubu Raya Forest Management Unit and Muara Baru Village community to restore peatland areas using an agroforestry pattern.
"This aims to conserve the peatland protected forest to ensure its sustainability as an integral part of the Kapuas Delta landscape. It also aims to establish a sustainable business model for the community to mitigate illegal logging in peatland orangutan habitats and promote non-burning land management practices," explained Lumba Aman Purba, Group Estate Manager of PT GAN.
This activity is a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on November 18, 2020, between PT GAN and Muara Baru Village regarding sustainable non-burning land management and the protection of orangutans and their habitat. The tree planting acitivity was attended by the representatives of Kubu Raya Regency Regional Development Planning Board (BAPPEDA), Kubu Raya Regency Plantation Office, Sungai Raya Subdistrict Head, Sungai Raya Police Deputy Chief, Chairperson of the Village Consultative Body, Muara Baru Village Head, Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) Muara Baru, Buntut Limbung Farmers Group, and Muara Baru Village community.
During the activity, a total of 250 seedlings of jengkol (Pithecellobium jiringa), lengkeng (Dimocarpus longan), leban (Vitex pubescens), alpukat (Persea americana), and nangka (Artocarpus heterophyllus) were planted.
In his welcoming remarks, Suryadi, the Head of Muara Baru Village, expressed his enthusiasm for the joint planting activity and his appreciation for the opportunity to participate in this initiative organized by PT GAN. He emphasized the potential benefits of the planted trees for both the surrounding community and the endangered wildlife in the forest.
"I urge the entire Muara Baru Village community to continue and carry forward this joint planting activity," he stated.
Lumba Aman Purba expressed his gratitude to the Kubu Raya Forest Management Unit (KPH) for providing seedling assistance and exceptional facilitation, ensuring the activity run smoothly. To date, PT GAN, with the support of internal funds and collaborations with various parties, has been implementing peatland hydrological function restoration efforts through rewetting and reforestation activities. In Muara Baru Village, the degraded peatland area covers approximately 120 hectares.
The rewetting program involves constructing 387 canal barriers to rewet the peatland. Additionally, eight data logger points have been established to measure groundwater levels. Furthermore, 196 monitoring wells have been constructed to manually measure groundwater levels using an Android application. Four Automatic Rainfall Sensor units have also been installed in each palm oil plantation and mill to automatically measure rainfall using sensors.
"We have also constructed three AWL units to automatically measure groundwater levels using sensors. Additionally, peatland subsidence monitoring is being conducted," he explained.
Apart from rewetting, peatland and riverbank restoration efforts are also underway. The program aims to develop natural seedling nurseries and plant native species in degraded areas. Additionally, community empowerment initiatives are being implemented to enhance the productivity of non-productive land for planting Serai Wangi (Cymbopogon citratus), Jengkol (Pithecellobium jiringa), Petai (Parkia javanica), and horticultural crops as alternative economic income sources for local communities residing around the forest area.
To strengthen forest protection and prevent land fires, PT GAN has installed spray boundary markers along riverbanks, HCV (High Conservation Value) boundary markers, hunting and illegal logging prohibitions, and flora and fauna monitoring centers, including orangutans. Additionally, threat monitoring is being conducted, including land cover monitoring, HCV area patrols (hunting, illegal logging, and encroachment). The company has also developed an early warning system and provided firefighting equipment for fire prevention and control activities.
On this occasion, the Kubu Raya Forest Management Unit and the Kapuas Watershed and Protected Forest Management Agency provided seedling assistance as a tangible expression of the government's commitment to environmental protection and the preservation of ecosystems. The seedling assistance consisted of 2,000 seedlings of Petai (Parkia javanica), Cempedak (Artocarpus integrifolia), Trembesi (Samanea saman), and Jengkol (Pithecellobium jiringa), which were distributed to the community for planting in the Ambawang Protected Forest in Muara Baru Village.
"The most important thing is that the community can properly care for and maintain the trees we have planted so that they can function to maintain water availability, protect the ecosystem, and provide oxygen. We hope that in the future, these trees will also provide benefits for the community's livelihood," stated M Ari S., Head of the Kubu Raya Forest Management Unit. (ars/ser)
