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RER records remarkable progress in conservation of Sumatra’s largest peat swamp forest
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espite challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Riau Ecosystem Restoration (RER) program continues to record notable progress in maintaining and protecting peatlands in Sumatra’s largest intact peat swamp forest, summarized in the newly released 2021 RER Progress Report.
Initiated by Riau-based fiber, pulp and paper producer APRIL Group in 2013, RER is committed to protecting, restoring and conserving peatland ecosystems, maintaining carbon stocks and conserving biodiversity in a 150,693hectare concession in Riau province.
As of 2021, RER has identified a total of 838 species, an increase of 12 types of flora and fauna in the restoration area compared to the previous year.
As many as 78 species of mammals, 311 species of birds, 106 species of amphibians and reptiles, 196 species of trees, 89 species of fish and 58 species of insects were found on the Kampar Peninsula and Padang Island. Of these, 69 species are listed on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable (39), Endangered (18) or Critically Endangered (12). There are also 117 species on the CITES list and 99 species listed as protected by the Indonesian government.
RER has also made progress by restoring nearly 12,000 ha of forest through various restoration methods, such as planting, maintenance, natural regeneration with human assistance and natural regeneration. In 2021, RER developed 38,000 seedlings in seven natural nurseries spread across the RER area. Hydrological restoration is also ongoing and has so far constructed 87 dams to cover 31 canal systems along 176.5 kilometers on the Kampar Peninsula and Padang Island.
"The integrated protection and restoration activities carried out by RER are a form of our commitment to support national forest restoration efforts and encourage the realization of carbon net sinks from the Forest and Other Land Uses (FoLU) sector in 2030, which is a government priority," RER external affairs director Nyoman Iswarayoga said in a statement.
Last year, an article by the RER ecologist team on sightings of the flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps) in the Kampar Peninsula was published in the peer-reviewed journal, Oryx - The International Journal of Conservation. In addition, there were zero fires recorded in the RER area on the Kampar Peninsula in the past eight years, thanks to a strong commitment to restoration efforts, forest protection and direct community involvement.
In 2021, the peatland research center Eco-Research Camp on the Kampar Peninsula started its operations, and expected to become a center for exploration, education and collaboration in advancing knowledge on Indonesia's tropical peat swamp landscape.
Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) president director Sihol Aritonang said RER’s achievements were inseparable from APRIL Group's commitment to sustainable forest management as part of the production-protection model, where economic and social development is integrated with environmental protection.
“RER is a tangible form of APRIL Group's commitment to support national efforts in biodiversity, as well as controlling climate change by reducing carbon emissions,” he explained, adding that the efforts were in line with the mitigation actions designed by the Environment and Forestry Ministry to achieve FoLU Net Sink 2030.
Sihol said APRIL Group's commitment to supporting the evolving landscape was followed by the launch of the APRIL2030 commitment in November 2020. Through APRIL2030, the company is continuing its commitment to the environment by investing a total of US$100 million for an intial 10 years period in APRIL Group's restoration and conservation efforts, and the program is strengthened by setting aside US$1 for every tonne of industrial plantation fiber harvested per year for landscape conservation.
Through APRIL2030, the company is also strengthening support for the conservation of wildlife in Indonesia, including endangered species, through partnerships and collaborations. The APRIL2030 commitment itself aims to have a positive impact on nature, climate and the environment while encouraging sustainable growth for the company.
This article was published in collaboration with APRIL Group.
