AFOLU Projects

South Sumatra Province，Indonesia

Real-Time Monitoring and Hydrological Function Restoration

The project uses advanced monitoring technologies, including IoT sensors, to track the regeneration of wetland areas in real time across more than three times the size of Manhattan. Traditional systems required daily manual measurements, but now, water table sensors and other devices provide hourly and daily reports on fire risks and hydrology management, allowing project teams and investors to monitor data remotely via the internet.

In terms of hydrological function restoration, the project constructed an additional 15 peat compaction dams in 2021, bringing the total number to 203 dams across the concession area. These efforts have helped raise and maintain water table levels. Over the lifetime of the project, 203 peat compaction dams and 87 temporary boxed dams have been installed. Continuous monitoring of the water table is conducted using dip wells and smart sensors, which is critical for ecosystem regeneration and fire risk reduction.

Socio-Economic Development and Community Empowerment

· Human Resource Capacity Building
The project has conducted 16 training sessions, benefiting 374 participants, aimed at enhancing environmental service skills. Additionally, 15 university scholarships have been awarded to staff to improve qualifications and expertise.

· Education Sector Empowerment
In the 2023/2024 school year, 89 participants enrolled in Study Group programs. Over the last three years, 45 participants graduated across Packages A (7), B (18), and C (20). The project also awarded 15 college scholarships, with 4 graduates. It has built libraries and renovated educational infrastructure, as well as provided Quran Education support since 2018.

· Health Sector Improvements
The project has renovated the Health Center in Kepayang Village and built an auxiliary health center in Merang Village. Monthly, Rp. 1,300,000 is allocated for supplementary feeding through Posyandu activities, and One Day with the Doctor events offer free health check-ups and consultations to the community.

· Community Economic Empowerment
The project has recruited local residents for basecamp and guard post jobs. It provided training and assistance for fish farming, though the program was halted. Local grocery stalls now supply dry goods to the basecamp, contributing to the local economy. Improved environmental conditions have led to an increase in fish catch, with 50 kg per catch every 10 days.

· Environmental Security
The project established the Fire Care Community Unit (KMPA) in Kepayang and Muara Merang villages. KMPA members are trained in fire prevention and suppression to help protect the environment from forest fires.

· Clean Water Supply
The project has distributed 77 rainwater harvesting units to households and 10 units to public facilities in each village, improving water access for both residents and local institutions.

Species Impact and Protection

The Sumatra Merang Peatland Project plays a significant role in protecting biodiversity, contributing to the preservation of 13 Critically Endangered or Endangered species and 25 Vulnerable species within the project area. This is part of a broader effort to restore and connect vital habitats, including the peat swamp forest in Sembilang National Park, to support vulnerable species and enhance ecosystem resilience. The project’s activities, such as creating biodiversity corridors and restoring degraded peatlands, are actively reducing threats to these species compared to a scenario without intervention.

Through systematic monitoring and conservation efforts, over 210 species of flora and fauna have been recorded within the project area, including 31 Threatened, Endangered, or Critically Endangered species. Among them are key species such as the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), and Storm’s stork (Ciconia stormi), which rely on the protected habitat for survival. These conservation actions not only safeguard species but also contribute to ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and climate resilience.

The project employs a combination of ecological surveys, remote sensing, and community engagement to track long-term trends in species occurrences and habitat health. This data-driven approach strengthens conservation strategies and ensures adaptive management practices that maximize biodiversity benefits. As a result of these efforts, the project has achieved Gold Status for Biodiversity under the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Standard (CCBS), reflecting its significant contribution to global conservation goals and sustainable land management.