PALMOILMAGAZINE, BOGOR – Head of the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA), South Papua Province, A. G. Martana and President Director of PT BIA, Hyun Chang Seop and other parties involved, agreed to a cooperation agreement. This activity was also attended by the Director of Conservation Area Planning (RKK), Ahmad Munawir.
The multi-party cooperation was carried out on October 20, 2023, at Sahira Hotel, Bogor. As a commitment of PT Bio Inti Agrindo (PT. BIA) to Environment, Social and Governance (ESG).
This cooperation agreement, regarding the strengthening of the function of the Danau Bian Wildlife Sanctuary (SM Bian, Merauke) conservation area as an effort to increase biodiversity and empower the surrounding community, in order to realize ESG. The crude palm oil (CPO) producer has been operating in Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, since 2011.
Head of the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA), South Papua Province, A. G. Martana expressed the importance of strengthening mutually supportive cooperation. “The concession of PT BIA and Lake Bian Wildlife Reserve are located next to each other, therefore, collaboration to strengthen the function of conservation areas needs to be strengthened through good cooperation and mutual support.” A.G. Martana explained.
President Director of PT BIA, Hyun Chang Seop also said the importance of protecting the environment and empowering local communities. “It’s great to be able to collaborate with the government in protecting the environment while empowering local communities, hopefully this collaboration can run well and have a positive impact on nature and social life,” said Hyun Chang Seop.
For information, since March 2020, PT BIA has had a strong commitment to sustainability, which focuses on the Zero Deforestation, Zero Peat, and Zero Exploitation (NDPE) policy. In addition, PT BIA also strives to achieve the vision of “Becoming an integrated sustainable palm oil company that contributes to society” as evidenced by the acquisition of ISPO, RSPO, and ISO sustainability certificates.
Papua Island, known for its unique ecosystem, rich biodiversity and the Lake Bian Wildlife Sanctuary which serves as an important catchment area/ecosystem for endemic animals and plants such as birds of paradise, storks, other reptiles.
Sustainability Implementation
Head of ESG dept of PT BIA, Bae Gyutae, at the discussion of the Program Implementation Plan and Annual Work Plan (RPP-RKT) explained the work plan that had been prepared together, so that it could be implemented immediately. “We hope that this multi-party cooperation can be carried out immediately,” he emphasized.
In line with that, RKK Director, Munawir, also emphasized that the nature conservation plan should be carried out immediately. Because it will face various obstacles in the future, such as a long dry season due to the El Nino climate phenomenon, so it requires preparation, facilities and infrastructure for fire management.
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“The key to successful cooperation is good communication between parties. The multi-stakeholders also agree on community participation which is a key success factor for sustainable area management,” he said.
He added, this collaboration is planned to include area protection, empowerment of surrounding communities, institutional strengthening and biodiversity conservation. Therefore, support for biodiversity conservation will be carried out through inventory and monitoring of wild plants and animals, supporting transit facilities for releasing animals, fire monitoring and patrols carried out in a participatory manner with local communities in the activities of the Community Partners of Polhut (MMP) and Fire Care Community (MPA). (T1)
