PT Indominco Mandiri (IMM), a subsidiary of PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITM), handed over the results of Planting for the Rehabilitation of Watershed Areas (Rehab DAS) covering 3,040 hectares on September 14, 2020, through a webinar event.
This handover marked the culmination of a series of Rehab DAS activities that had undergone planting and evaluation stages. The Rehab DAS area handed over by IMM this time is a region that has experienced plant enrichment since 2015.
PT Indominco Mandiri's CEO, A.H. Bramantya Putra, virtually handed over this area to the Director General of Watershed and Protected Forest Control of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), with Deputy Minister LHK Alue Dohong as a witness. This event also involved the local community to discuss with the Deputy Minister of KLHK.
The enrichment process in the Rehab DAS area went through three phases. The first phase is called P.0, which includes the first year of planting. Subsequently, there are phases P.1 and P.2, which are the second and third years focusing on maintenance until the evaluation of success. Assessment was conducted by the Directorate General PDASHL, referring to the predetermined success criteria.
Rehab DAS is an additional obligation imposed by the Government on companies holding a Forest Area Borrow Use Permit (IPPKH). Based on the Decisions of Menhut No. 2628/Menhut-V/RHL/2012 dated May 14, 2012, and Decision MenLHK number SK.8671/MenLHK-PDASHL/KTA/DAS.1/12/218, dated December 18, 2018, IPPKH holders like IMM are obligated to conduct Rehab DAS according to the concession area they own. This regulation also stipulates that areas planted for Rehab DAS must be outside the concession area designated by the Government as critical watersheds requiring rehabilitation. IMM is obligated to plant for Rehab DAS covering 24,600 hectares.
IMM began implementing Rehab DAS in 2013 and has overall handed over a total of 6,640 hectares of land to the government. This figure includes previous handovers, namely 600 hectares in 2017, 3,000 hectares in 2018, and 3,040 hectares in 2020.
Synergy with Stakeholders
The forest area in the Melawan region, which is also part of Kutai National Park (TNK), has vegetation enriched through the Rehab DAS program. Around this rehabilitation zone, people depend on forest management. Therefore, IMM collaborates with TNK to supervise this area.
IMM also pays special attention to communities dependent on this forest. The company believes that a community aware of the importance of forests and has a good economic income will be a community that cares about forest sustainability. Hence, the community is involved in various activities, such as seed provision, maintenance, and monitoring. In the future, it's hoped that the community will become accustomed to plant breeding techniques that can be a business model.
TNK's head, Nur Patria Kurniawan, S.Hut., stated that the Rehab DAS efforts by IMM, along with community empowerment, are commendable. "IMM has involved about 150 community members, and this is expected to change the community's paradigm from merely logging to being responsible for the forest," he said.
IMM also collaborates closely with forestry agencies at both the regional and central levels to ensure these activities meet the success criteria set by the Government.
Supporting Sustainable Development
IMM and all ITM subsidiaries are committed to sustainable development in line with the Company's Vision. The Rehab DAS activity is the company's effort to maintain the ecosystem in the Kalimantan watershed area. This effort is expected to benefit groundwater availability for the community while preserving forest conditions.
Deputy Minister LHK Alue Dohong said, "Give a greater role to the community in Rehab DAS implementation, from seed preparation, land preparation, planting, maintenance, to plant security from pests and fire hazards."
IMM CEO, Bramantya Putra, emphasized that responsibility towards the community and environment must be part of businesses, including mining. "We believe the industry will grow well if conducted with a sense of responsibility towards the community and environment," he stressed.
IMM has left a responsible footprint towards the community and environment during its operations in East Kalimantan. Biodiversity management in pre-mining forest areas is an exemplary practice that exceeds compliance standards. Since 2010, key species conservation activities have been conducted jointly between IMM and the Indonesian Science Institute, Purwodadi Botanical Garden East Java.
As a result, these key species have been developed in IMM's nursery facilities and KR Purwodadi. Ultimately, plants from this program are planted in reclaimed post-mining forests to enrich local vegetation.
A book titled "When Mining Manages Biodiversity" was published to document these activities. In collaboration with Mulawarman University, this book has been reviewed by practitioners and academics for feedback and input.
In its endeavors, IMM supports energy availability for life with a Sustainable Development approach, leaving a good legacy for future generations.
