TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Optimistic about sustainable peat restoration, BRGM involves all stakeholders
Change Size
A field visit by BRGM's deputy of construction, operations, and maintenance, the head of the Jambi Forestry Department, and provincial representatives to Pandan Sejahtera Village.
T
he Peat and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) conducted a field visit as part of a series of technical coordination meetings on peat restoration in Pandan Sejahtera village, East Tanjung Jabung regency, Jambi, to ensure the synergy and collaboration of various parties that are key to the success of optimal and sustainable peat restoration.
Pandan Sejahtera is one of the areas vulnerable to drought and a trigger for peatland fires. In 2015, there were 44 hotspot points in this village, resulting in thousands of hectares of peatland being engulfed by flames. The ecological and economic losses were estimated to be in the millions of rupiah. A village that once seemed hopeless has now become a representative area for BRGM's peat restoration efforts. This achievement is attributed to the role of various parties, from the provincial government to grassroots communities.
This field visit invited representatives from six priority peat provinces, namely South Sumatra, Riau, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and Papua, to learn about systematic, integrated and well-coordinated peat restoration. The hope is that after seeing the peat restoration conditions in Jambi, they can implement similar strategies in their respective regions.
“We chose this field visit location because Jambi province has been a pioneer in peat restoration activities, especially in Pandan Sejahtera village, which is remarkably self-sufficient and cohesive. The support from forest fire prevention agencies, community policing units [Bhabinkamtibmas], and the head of Jambi Forestry Department is well-integrated. Our hope is that the six provinces we invited here can learn from this and implement similar practices in their areas,” said BRGM deputy of construction, operations and maintenance Tris Raditian.
In Jambi province alone, the BRGM has successfully carried out peat restoration activities covering 147,353 hectares from 2016 to 2023. In its implementation, BRGM uses the “3R” strategy, rewetting, revegetation and economic revitalization. The Perintis Jaya community group has installed several items of peat restoration infrastructure, such as the water level monitoring tool (APTMA) built in 2018.
The APTMA serves as an early warning system for peatland fires using water level sensors, rainfall sensors and soil moisture sensors. The analysis results from APTMA are useful for informing the regional government of a fire’s status and serve as a basis for peatland rewetting operations if the APTMA analysis indicates that the water level is more than 0.4 meters from the surface.
Members of the Perintis Jaya community group have also introduced canal barriers as infrastructure to help maintain the moisture level of peatlands. In 2017, semi-permanent canal barriers were built. After proving effective in retaining water flow to keep peatlands wet, these canal barriers were made permanent in 2022.
From 2017 to date, 64 canal barriers have been built in Pandan Sejahtera Village. The impact of these canal barriers is evident through the number of monitoring wells, with three units built. Additionally, 25 boreholes have been installed in the village for drought mitigation operations and extinguishing peat fires.
In addition to community-involved rewetting activities, the peat restoration efforts also collaborate with other institutions such as the Jambi Watershed Management Agency (BPDAS-HL) in revegetation activities. Reforestation on peatlands is carried out through the People's Seedling Garden (KBR) program, focusing on jelutung tree planting.
The head of the Jambi Forestry Department, Ahmad Bestari, was present at the event. “The key to peat restoration activities is integrating all elements. In Jambi, our task force is well-maintained. We strive for even the smallest community levels to patrol, up to the task force level that continuously monitors the field,” Bestari said.
Bestari added that the Riau provincial administration, together with the BRGM and the forestry department, is introducing peatland fire hazard awareness to schools through local peat-focused curricula. Bestari hopes that the BRGM's efforts will continue so that peat restoration can be sustained.
Furthermore, a revitalization approach is also taken in peatland restoration efforts. Economic revitalization aims to reduce pressure on peatlands while providing alternative livelihoods for communities living around peatlands, such as the Perintis Jaya community group receiving livestock farming revitalization assistance in the form of cattle.
Last year, the Perintis Jaya group received 10 cattle, but thanks to the diligence of its members, they now have 72 head of cattle. The resulting livestock waste is managed by the community to produce agricultural fertilizer through integrated farming, a system that utilizes the interconnection between livestock and horticulture to support agricultural production and economic improvement.
“We've gained many benefits from peat restoration itself. Now, we no longer worry about fires because of the canal barriers keeping the land wet. Grass for livestock feed always grows well. Our hope is that under new leadership, the BRGM will continue because we still need guidance from the BRGM and the Jambi Forestry Department,” concluded Warno, chairman of the Perintis Jaya Community Group.
