In the heart of Sumatra’s rapidly disappearing rainforests, the Forest Restoration Project by the Belantara Foundation is an ambitious initiative breathing life back into one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems.
A Critical Conservation Battleground
The Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve spans 1.7 million acres of pristine peatland forest in Riau Province, Sumatra. This UNESCO-designated reserve serves as the last sanctuary for Critically Endangered Sumatran tigers and elephants, along with sun bears, clouded leopards, and Malayan tapirs. The peat swamp forests store massive amounts of carbon and house 189 plant species, with 29 classified as Endangered.
Yet this ecological treasure faces unprecedented threats. Riau Province has witnessed devastating deforestation, with forest cover plummeting from 78% in 1982 to just 22% by 2009 due to illegal logging, palm oil expansion, and catastrophic forest fires.
Seeds of Hope
Since August 2020, Belantara Foundation’s Forest Restoration Project has systematically replanted degraded areas with native Indonesian tree species. The project has successfully restored 232 acres within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, transforming barren areas back into thriving forest habitat.
This collaborative initiative works with local communities, governments, and the private sector using a multi-stakeholder approach. The project is funded through innovative corporate partnerships, including donations from paper manufacturer APP’s product sales – creating a direct link between responsible consumption and forest restoration.
Global Impact
The project directly contributes to four United Nations Sustainable Development Goals while providing sustainable economic opportunities for over 120,000 local residents who depend on the forest for their livelihoods. By focusing on peatland restoration, the initiative tackles climate change at its source – reforestation is recognized as one of the most effective climate change measures.
Belantara Foundation aims to restore at least 25 acres of degraded peatland annually, serving as a model for landscape-scale restoration that other regions can adapt. Want to help them succeed? You can support Belantara’s conservation activities by donating to them today. Every acre restored helps protect biodiversity, fight climate change, and secure a healthier future for both people and wildlife.