A Holistic Approach to Biodiversity Conservation and Community Empowerment

Ailesh, through the Yayasan Inisiasi Berkelanjutan Indonesia, has been entrusted with providing guidance and monitoring for the biodiversity program initiated by PT Pertamina Patra Niaga AFT Adi Sumarmo. This initiative is centered around community-based biodiversity conservation efforts in the Tahura KGPAA Mangkunagoro I, located at the foothills of Mount Lawu, Central Java. The program is designed to enhance biodiversity, support ecological balance, and generate economic and social benefits for local communities.

Comprehensive Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation Efforts

The program includes an extensive inventory and monitoring of flora and fauna within conservation areas. The biodiversity assessment recorded 188 plant species with a total of 3,303 individuals and 66 fauna species with 522 individuals in operational areas. Meanwhile, in the conservation area of Tahura KGPAA Mangkunagoro I, 219 plant species with a total of 7,159 individuals and 159 fauna species with 1,268 individuals were identified.

Key Conservation and Community Initiatives:

Lawu Orchid Exploration

Collaborating with the Faculty of Biology at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), the program has successfully documented 23 species and 135 individual specimens of endemic orchids. Additionally, the initiative supports the development of a tissue culture laboratory to enhance orchid conservation efforts.

Orchid Tissue Culture Training

This capacity-building initiative includes comparative studies and training on orchid propagation using tissue culture methods. The training is aimed at empowering KTH Green Lawu and Tahura KGPAA Mangkunagoro to cultivate and sustain Lawu orchids.

Rare Bird Breeding Program

As part of the fauna conservation initiative and local economic development, KTH Tambak Indah has been engaged in the breeding of the critically endangered Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi).

Sustainable Mushroom Cultivation

A livelihood empowerment initiative focusing on ear mushroom cultivation, which includes training on harvesting techniques and cluster development with a production capacity of 4,000 logs. This initiative also emphasizes the involvement of women in sustainable agriculture.

Rare Plant Nursery Assistance

Providing seed stock and nursery facilities for rare plant species, including Arenga pinnata, Schoutenia galapagoensis (Puspa), Ficus spp. (Pampung), and Symplocos cochinchinensis (Sarangan), to support conservation and reforestation efforts.

Sustainable Honeybee Farming (Kendi Method)

Installing and maintaining beekeeping facilities, along with planting nectar-producing flora, to support honey production in the operational area of PT Pertamina Adi Sumarmo.

Environmental Education through "PERTAMINA MENGAJAR"

This initiative provides early environmental education to elementary school students near the conservation area. Collaborating with Insive, PT Pertamina AFT Adi Sumarmo, Tahura KGPAA Mangkunagoro I, SD Berjo 1, and SD Girimulyo 1, the program aims to instill awareness about biodiversity conservation from an early age.

LAWU FESTIVAL: A Celebration of Flora and Local Entrepreneurship

This annual festival serves as a platform for KTH Green Lawu and ornamental plant farmers from Berjo Village to showcase their cultivated plants, particularly the endemic Lawu orchids. The event also includes a coloring competition for young children, raising awareness about biodiversity among different stakeholders while boosting local plant sales.

Client Achievements and Impact

Through this initiative, PT Pertamina AFT Adi Sumarmo has successfully:

• Updated Biodiversity Data & Compliance: Conducted biodiversity index updates as part of PROPER Green certification compliance (Permen LHK No. 1 of 2021).
• Enhanced Biodiversity Program Implementation: Provided guidance in biodiversity program execution and monitoring for long-term impact.
• Strengthened Community Capacity Building: Delivered training and capacity-building programs for CSR-affiliated community groups to manage biodiversity initiatives sustainably.
• Supported Scientific Publications: Assisted in publishing biodiversity-related knowledge through national journals and ISBN-registered books, promoting awareness and scientific contributions to conservation efforts.

A Model for Sustainable Biodiversity and Community Empowerment

The CSR biodiversity program led by PT Pertamina AFT Adi Sumarmo in collaboration with Tahura KGPAA Mangkunagoro I exemplifies a holistic approach to environmental conservation and local community development. By empowering two key community groups—KTH Green Lawu and KTH Tambak Indah—through initiatives such as mushroom farming, rare plant nurseries, orchid conservation, and rare bird breeding, the program integrates environmental sustainability with economic resilience.

Despite its primary focus on protecting endangered flora and fauna, the program also serves as an economic catalyst, equipping local communities with valuable skills for self-sufficiency. Through technical assistance, training, and knowledge-sharing facilitated by strategic partners, the program aims to create long-term benefits for both nature and society.

The success of the program is further amplified through educational initiatives such as "PERTAMINA MENGAJAR" and the annual Lawu Festival, fostering environmental awareness among younger generations and promoting biodiversity-based economic opportunities. These efforts not only contribute to ecosystem conservation but also ensure that biodiversity resources become sustainable income sources for local communities.

By fostering community entrepreneurship in biodiversity conservation, PT Pertamina AFT Adi Sumarmo and its partners have set a precedent for CSR programs that extend beyond short-term corporate support. The initiative’s sustainable model enables communities to thrive independently, making it a replicable blueprint for biodiversity-driven economic empowerment in other regions.

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