APP's effort to protect and restore Peat Land in their concessions area
Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Sinar Mas continues to conserve peatland in and around its concession. Many efforts had been conducted such as using LiDAR data sources to mapping peat distribution and topography in APP suppliers’ concessions and surrounding areas. LiDAR satellite tracking could cover 4.5 million hectares of peat areas which helps the company to monitor its land.
LiDar data sources found 6 Major peat domes in Sumatra such as Senepis, Riau; Giam Siak Kecil – Bukit Batu, Riau; Kampar Peninsula, Riau; Kerumutan, Riau; Berbak Sembilang National Park, Jambi and South Sumatra and Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), South Sumatra.
APP understands it is impossible to protect the large areas alone. “Therefore, we collaborate with the community to protect and restore the peat area,” said APP Chief Sustainability Officer Elim Sritaba. Elim took example of one Project in Musi Banyusin, South Sumatera which combines Science and Community-based approaches to protect and restore the peatland.
In this project, APP collaborate with Center for Research and Development of Socio-Economic Policy and Climate Changeand Gadjah Mada University (UGM) to develop a scientific strategy for the peat restoration program. APP also works closely with Regional Peat Restoration Team (TRGD) and the local government to monitor peat restoration efforts in the field and integrate the project into the provincial and national targets in peat restoration.
In Musi Banyuasin, APP also engages in 3 villages on nursery management and compost production for their alternative livelihood and includes them as SMART Patrol team. These would also help reduce forest and land fires in the areas.
While in Sungsang Village, Sembilang National Park, South Sumatra, APP manages several programs such as ecotourism, education and WASH (Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene). This village is surrounded by mangroves and peat ecosystems. “There is a history of overexploitation in the mangrove and peat ecosystem where the community-built fish ponds,” Elim said. This programs collaborate with the Belantara Foundation aimed to enable the community gain better income without exploiting the mangroves. exploitation of mangroves. This program required villagers pledge to protect the existing natural resources as well as restore the mangroves.