PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk. (Astra Agro) has reaffirmed its commitment to managing High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, biodiversity, and natural ecosystems by conducting Biodiversity and Ecosystem Sustainability training at PT Sukses Tani Nusasubur (STN) in partnership with the Center for Transdisciplinary and Sustainability Sciences (CTSS) at IPB University.
“The company demonstrated exceptional commitment to preserving the area,” said Prof. Damayanti Buchori, Ph.D, M.Sc, lecturer and Director of CTSS at IPB University, following a field visit to review the company’s conservation programs.
Prof. Damayanti noted that the conservation area managed by the company exceeds the size of the land used for oil palm plantations.
She stated that this demonstrates the successful implementation of sustainable landscape management.
“The way they maintain their landscape is impressive,” said Prof. Damayanti, expressing pride in PT STN’s dedication to preserving high-conservation-value environments.
This strategic training, held in September, aimed to enhance technical competencies and coordinate conservation efforts within the plantation landscape.
The event brought together 25 participants from various Astra Group entities, including PT Astra International Tbk, PT Pamapersada Nusantara, PT Energia Prima Nusantara, PT United Tractors, PT Agincourt Resources, and AAL subsidiaries.
During the field review, participants observed the company’s active maintenance of the karst area and caves, including significant investment in upkeep.
He reported that the rapid biodiversity assessment revealed significant biodiversity, including a robust macaque population as well as butterflies and birds that remain prevalent in the conservation area.
In addition to IPB, the activity included Prof. Dr. Christian Hansjoachim Schulze from the University of Vienna, Prof. Dr. Ir. Mirza Dikari Kusrini, M.Si from IPB University, and other expert teams from IPB University.
They provided in-depth scientific analysis, technical guidance on species identification, and assessments of field data collection and processing methods based on scientific principles.
Astra Agro’s Vice President of Sustainability, Susila Darma Wati, emphasized that this training is a key component in strengthening the company’s sustainability system.
“This biodiversity training is part of the company’s commitment to meeting sustainability standards, which highlight the importance of managing High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, biodiversity, and natural ecosystems across all operational regions,” said Susi.
He stated that the training is a follow-up to the 5-Year Action Plan (5YAP) and a strategic step to enhance the sustainability team’s capacity to manage and evaluate conservation programs.
He added that this program also supports the Indonesian Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IBSAP), which stresses the importance of capacity building and cross-sector collaboration, including the private sector’s role in maintaining biodiversity.
Source: Tribun News Kaltim
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