28-6-2023 (JAKARTA) The National Development Planning (PPN) Ministry announced on Tuesday that three Indonesian provinces, namely North Sumatra, West Papua, and Southwest Papua, are prepared to serve as national models for low-carbon development under the International Climate Initiative-Peat and Mangrove Ecosystems (IKI-PME) project.
Nur Hygiawati Rahayu, the Director for Forestry and Water Resources at the PPN Ministry, stated that the IKI-PME project aligns with the government’s agenda and achievements in promoting low-carbon development, climate resilience, and sustainable development goals (SDGs).
According to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, North Sumatra is home to approximately 38,205 hectares of mangroves and 526,701 hectares of peat. In contrast, West Papua and Southwest Papua possess 957,826 hectares of peat, 9,120 hectares of mangroves, and an additional 332,407 hectares of mangrove-associated peat.
The implementation of the IKI-PME project has facilitated the effective management, improved preservation, and sustainable utilization of 742,234 hectares of peat and mangrove ecosystems.
The project has contributed to strengthening the regional government’s policies outlined in the West Papua Provincial Forestry Plan. Additionally, it has facilitated patrol activities through the utilization of Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tools (SMART).
Moreover, the project successfully concluded the peat restoration program in the South Tapanuli District of North Sumatra Province.
The IKI-PME project has also provided training to local communities residing near mangrove and peat ecosystems. The training encompassed repairing and maintaining traditional long boats known as ketinting, as well as fishing nets. Furthermore, community members were trained in identifying and monitoring potential natural resources.
Product diversification was another aspect of the project’s training initiatives. Community members received guidance on fish and duck farming, as well as the production of citronella oil and compost.
Rahayu expressed hope that the success of the IKI-PME project in the three provinces would serve as a model for other regions in Indonesia, thereby contributing to the government’s efforts in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
The IKI-PME project, led by Konservasi Indonesia in collaboration with Wetlands International Indonesia (YLBA) and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), received strategic coordination with the PPN Ministry for the development of a national strategy document on peat and mangrove ecosystems. The document was launched in February 2023.
Furthermore, Eko Budi Priyanto, the Program Coordinator for Wetlands Restoration and Community Development at YLBA, highlighted the collaboration with local communities in implementing paludiculture, which involves utilizing peatland for agriculture, on a 200-hectare area as part of the IKI-PME project.
