InfoSAWIT, SAMARINDA - The province of East Kalimantan (Kaltim) is solidifying its commitment to green development principles as part of a strategic effort to preserve tropical forests and support environmental sustainability. During the 10th anniversary celebration of the Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), themed "Green Collaboration for a Sustainable Nusantara," East Kalimantan's Secretary, Sri Wahyuni, emphasized that green development is not just an option but an essential strategy to protect the planet and ensure a thriving ecosystem for future generations.
“Green development is a necessity to protect our planet. Collaboration between the government, Indigenous communities, and conservation organizations like YKAN is crucial to preserving our natural heritage,” stated Sri Wahyuni in an official statement quoted by InfoSAWIT on Friday (November 1, 2024).
Since 2014, YKAN has continued the conservation work of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Indonesia, integrating environmental preservation with local community empowerment. YKAN focuses on a non-confrontational, collaborative approach, fostering partnerships with government and a range of stakeholders to promote sustainable practices.
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.
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. (T2)
