Ecosystem restoration in Pandu Sanjaya started on September 16 2021. First, a free prior and informed consent (FPIC) process was carried out to ensure that villagers were fully informed about ecosystem restoration and consented. Second, the Village Head issued a decree to establish a restoration team. Third, community meetings were facilitated to agree on the restoration design and select the areas that will be restored as well as the tree species used while ensuring a balance among ecological, economic and social value species.
The first trees were planted on 21 May 2022, in a ceremony with the head of Kotawaringin Barat district. There was further planting on 5 June 2022, and between 15 and 17 July 2022.
Local communities are restoring riparian areas, near to the Pinang River, to prevent damage caused by flooding and surging waters. Flooding often inundates the village area, causing damage to both the homes and livelihoods of local people. A recent flood triggered landslides in the riparian area, damaging some of the saplings that had been planted, which will need to be replanted later. The area immediately surrounding the Pinang River is covered by oil palm plantations.
The land use history
Pandu Sanjaya is mainly covered by oil palm plantations of around 91%, equivalent to 5,275 hectares. The oil palm concession permit for the village area was first issued in 1997, which resulted in massive land conversion in the village. The last remaining swamp forests, covering 53 hectares, were converted to oil palm plantations during 2006-2009, leaving no standing forests in the village area before the restoration activities commenced.
Intervention Details:
Total area planted : 3 hectares
Year(s) planted : 2021
Species :
- Sengon
- Matoa
- Langsat
- Meranti
- Durian
- Mahogany
- Trembesi
- Eucalyptus pellita
- Mangosteen
- Agarwood
- Avocado
- Mango
- Crystal guava
- Gaharu
- Jabon
- Acacia
- Areca nut
- Rattan worm
- Jengkol
- Coconut
- Grapefruit
- Ironwood
Proportion of species by function : 50% (ecological); 10% (social); 40% (economic)
No. Trees planted: 833 trees
Impact:
The impact of community-based restoration is to restore biodiversity and ecosystem functions. In addition, community-based restoration will support diversifying community livelihoods from agroforestry and non-timber products.
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