Strengthening Forestry Cooperation between Korea-Indonesia through Joint Project “Restoration of Burnt Peatland in Jambi”.

Jambi, Indonesia, 6 August 2024 – The Korea Forest Service (KFS), represented by Dr. Nam Song Hee, Director General of International Affairs Bureau, along with a team of delegates from Korea, made an official visit to Indonesia. This visit is part of the implementation of the Framework Agreement between the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia (MoEF) and the Korea Forest Service of the Republic of Korea. The agreement covers Priority Program Cooperation in the Forestry Sector and aims to strengthen relations between the two countries in efforts to conserve and manage sustainable forest resources.

During this visit, various stakeholders were involved, including key stakeholders from Indonesia and Korea. From the Korean side, a team from the Korea Forest Service (KFS) was joined while representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, including the Directorate General of Pollution Control and Environmental Degradation, represented by Mohammad Noor Andi Kusumah, S.T, M.Sc as Director of Peatland Ecosystem Degradation Control, were present. In addition, active participation was also shown by the Jambi Provincial Government, represented by the Jambi Provincial Forestry Service, as well as several other local institutions such as Jambi University, Jambi Provincial Environmental Service, Manggala Agni DAOPS IX Jambi City, including the community around the Londerang HLG area.

One of the projects that was the focus of the visit was the Restoration of Burnt Peatland in Jambi, located in the Londerang Peat Protection Forest (HLG), Jambi Province. This project is part of a collaborative effort to restore peatland ecosystems that have been burned. The Restoration of Burnt Peatland Project has 3 (three) main activities called the 3Rs: Revegetation, Rewetting, and Revitalization. There is also the construction of the “Kenali Peatland Education Center” in Kenali Forest, Jambi City, which aims to increase public awareness, especially the younger generation from elementary school to university level regarding sustainable peatland ecosystem management.

The visit also emphasized the commitment of both countries in preserving the environment and the sustainability of natural resources. Cooperation in forestry between Korea and Indonesia has been established for a long time, and this peatland restoration project is one of many initiatives that demonstrate the dedication of both countries in addressing pressing environmental issues. The project not only aims to restore the ecological function of peatlands, but also to improve the welfare of surrounding communities through improved environmental quality and sustainable development of natural resources.

On this occasion, the Korea Forest Service delegation started their visit by visiting the Rumpin Seed Source and Nursery Center (RSSNC) on Monday, August 5, 2024 accompanied by Ir. Dyah Murtiningsih, M.Hum, Director General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation (PDASRH). Furthermore, the Korea Forest Service delegation visited the Ministry of Environment and Forestry office to attend the Bilateral Meeting and signing of the Framework Agreement and Technical Agreement with Ir. Dida Migfar Ridha, M.Si as Director General of Sustainable Forest Management, Director General of Sustainable Forest Management, Acting Head of the International Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

The cooperation in the forestry sector between the Korean Government and the Indonesian Government, which has been established since 1973, became the background for the establishment of the Korea-Indonesia Forest Cooperation Center (KIFC) in 2010. Some of the successful projects include Sentul Eco-Edu Tourism Forest (SEETF) in Bogor (2011-2013), Korea-Indonesia Joint REDD+ Project “Tasik Besar Sarkap” Forest management Unit in Riau Province (2013-2016), Development of Wood Biomass Pilot Plantation Project in Semarang, Central Java (2013-2022), and “Tunak Ecotourism Park” in TWA Gunung Tunak, Lombok, NTT (2015-2020). One of the ongoing Korea-Indonesia projects is the Restoration of Burnt Peatland Project with the Directorate of Peat Ecosystem Degradation Control, Directorate General of Pollution Control and Environmental Degradation as the executing agency. This project has been implemented since 2020 with one of the focuses of its activities being revegetation on 200 hectares of peatland.