Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Environment is preparing to grant recognition to companies that successfully carry out peatland restoration, particularly in concession buffer zones.
Speaking at the Forum for Collaboration on Peatland and Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration in Jakarta on Thursday, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the recognition would be included in the Company Performance Rating Program (PROPER).
He also expressed hope for stronger collaboration with the private sector in restoring peatland and rehabilitating mangroves across the country.
“My hope is that we can soon begin communicating about how to manage peatlands located in border or buffer areas, which amount to nearly 500,000 hectares. If a company says, ‘I will do it, but I want a PROPER rating,’ I will grant it,” he remarked.
“The most important thing is to save the peatland first. This is important not only for us,” he added.
The ministry has mapped out a target to restore 3,313,126 hectares of peatland across Indonesia. This includes 298,276 hectares in areas designated for other land use (APL) that will be restored by the ministry and regional governments.
A total of 897,036 ha in forest areas under the responsibility of the Ministry of Forestry, 528,683 ha in concession buffer zones and also 1,589,132 ha in forest areas where concession holders are obligated to carry out restoration.
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The ministry is seeking support from concession holders to restore the 528,683 ha of peatland in buffer zones, which involve 1,450 villages supported under the Peat-Caring Independent Village (Desa Mandiri Peduli Gambut) initiative.
Additionally, Nurofiq also called on business representatives attending the forum to assign members of their teams to participate in training and mentoring programs related to the implementation of peatland restoration within concession areas.
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Under Government Regulation No. 71/2014 on the Protection and Management of Peat Ecosystems, license holders are requested to restore peatlands in surrounding areas — although this remains voluntary.
"Whether we provide recognition through the PROPER program, or work jointly develop carbon emission reduction documentation through alternative financing - this is our significant competitive advantage, and we must turn it into a true strength through credible, high-integrity carbon initiatives,” Nurofiq concluded.
