PALMOILMAGAZINE, SAMARINDA – East Kalimantan is reinforcing its dedication to green development as part of a broader strategy to preserve tropical forests and promote environmental sustainability. Speaking at the 10th anniversary of the Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), themed “Green Collaboration for a Sustainable Nusantara,” Provincial Secretary Sri Wahyuni highlighted the urgency of sustainable practices.
“Green development is essential to protect our planet. Collaboration between the government, Indigenous communities, and organizations like YKAN is vital to safeguarding our natural heritage,” Sri Wahyuni stated, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com on Friday (November 1, 2024).
Since 2014, YKAN has carried forward The Nature Conservancy’s conservation work in Indonesia, blending environmental preservation with community empowerment. By fostering partnerships with governments and diverse stakeholders, YKAN promotes a collaborative and non-confrontational approach to sustainability.
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One example of green development in action is the performance-based incentives distributed to 441 villages or community groups in East Kalimantan through the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility-Carbon Fund (FCPF-CF) Program. These incentives reward local communities for their efforts in emissions reduction. At the government level, the commitment is formalized in the Green Growth Compact (GGC), an agreement launched in 2018 that now has the support of more than 300 institutions.
Other impactful initiatives include the SIGAP (Inspiring Community Action for Change) Program in East Kalimantan and the SIGAP Sejahtera Program in Berau Regency. Embedded within local regulations, these programs represent significant milestones in community-driven green development and natural resource management.
East Kalimantan has also demonstrated its dedication to conservation by protecting high conservation value areas in the Wehea-Kelay landscape. Spanning over 406,344 hectares, this landscape serves as a habitat for approximately 1,282 orangutans and 13,090 species of flora and fauna. The Wehea-Kelay Forum, which includes government bodies, local communities, and various companies like PT Gunung Gajah Abadi, plays an active role in conserving this critical area. “Through this forum, we are committed to sustainable forest management that includes local community involvement,” said Totok Suripto, CEO of PT Gunung Gajah Abadi.
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During YKAN’s 10th-anniversary celebration, Executive Director Herlina Hartanto expressed gratitude for the trust and support received from various partners over the past decade. “I believe this collaboration can continue to grow, ensuring that nature is protected and communities thrive, even amid the mounting complexities of the environmental crisis,” she shared.
This occasion serves as a call to action for all parties to come together in environmental conservation, starting in East Kalimantan. With the spirit of “Together, we find a way,” YKAN and the East Kalimantan Provincial Government are committed to realizing green development that can set a national standard for sustainability in Indonesia. (P2)
