TOKYO, THENUSANTARAPOST.COM– Belantara Foundation, in collaboration with APP Japan Ltd. (APPJ), participated in the SDGs Week – EcoPro 2024 exhibition held from December 4-6 at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan. At the event, Belantara Foundation showcased its Forest Restoration Project: SDGs Together, a forest recovery initiative that has been running since 2020 in Riau Province.
Through collaboration with the Production Forest Management Unit (KPHP) Minas Tahura and the Sultan Syarif Hasyim Forest Farmers Group (KTH SSH), this project aims to restore the functions of degraded forests in the Sultan Syarif Hasyim Grand Forest Park (Tahura SSH) using an agroforestry approach. Dr. Dolly Priatna, Executive Director of Belantara Foundation, emphasized the importance of ecosystem restoration as a strategic step to address global climate change, in line with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030.
“Through a multi-stakeholder approach, we are inviting the Japanese private sector to join us in supporting the restoration of degraded forests on Sumatra Island, particularly in Riau. This aligns with the UNSDGs vision of leaving no one behind, aiming for sustainability,” said Dolly.
To date, the program has planted 43,901 trees across 94 hectares, involving 32 species of native trees, including rare species such as ramin (Gonystylus bancanus) and balam (Palaquium burckii). The project also includes area protection, local community capacity building, and routine monitoring.
Representative Director of APPJ, Tan Ui Sian, added, “We are committed to encouraging our business partners and stakeholders in Japan to support this project, in alignment with SDGs 12, 13, 15, and 17, which include sustainable consumption and the revitalization of global partnerships.”
The Head of KPHP Minas Tahura, Sri Wilda Hasibuan, explained that the Tahura SSH area, covering 6,000 hectares, is currently facing the threat of deforestation due to illegal activities. “We hope this collaboration not only restores the ecosystem but also supports carbon emission reductions in accordance with the Indonesian Government’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC),” she stated.
The SDGs Week – EcoPro 2024 exhibition served as a platform for sustainable innovation and technology, attracting over 60,000 visitors. Initiatives such as the Forest Restoration Project: SDGs Together highlight the importance of cross-country collaboration in creating real solutions for global sustainability (Marwan)
