Pertamina's Sustainable Forest Initiative Boosts Nature-Based Economy
The sound of bells breaking the silence on the slopes of Mount Agung serves as a prelude to the birth of new hope for harmony between nature and human life. At Pura Kancing Gumi in Bali, prayers are offered as a symbol of awareness that environmental preservation cannot be merely wished for but must be realised through concrete actions.
This awareness has grown strong in the Mahawana Basuki Besakih forest area. Through the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which emphasises balance in the relationship between humans, God, and nature, Pertamina has introduced the Hutan Lestari programme as an effort to reforest following the 2017 Mount Agung eruption. This programme not only restores the forest area but also revives the local community’s economy.
I Nyoman Artana has become the driving force of change in this region. He stresses the importance of preserving the Besakih area as Bali’s upstream watershed. According to him, environmental sustainability in the upstream area greatly determines the ecosystem’s continuity across the island. These efforts are now yielding tangible results, where his fostered group produces 100 to 150 kilograms of honey per year with high economic value, develops nature tourism generating income up to Rp120 million per month, and creates jobs for the community.
This spirit of nature conservation echoes to the land of Lampung. In Ulubelu, a man named Wastoyo is a living witness to how forests can change a person’s character. Once, the forest was a hunting ground and target for chainsaws; now, it is a home he protects wholeheartedly.
“In the past, cutting down trees was our instant way to make a living due to ignorance. We were trapped in a cycle of destruction for a bite of rice,” recalls Wastoyo.
The turning point came when Pertamina introduced the Sekolah Hutan Lestari. Through intensive mentoring to KUPS Margo Rukun, these former hunters transformed into skilled cultivators. They not only planted 50,000 seedlings of Multi-Purpose Tree Species (MPTS) to prevent erosion but also converted coffee waste into high-quality fertiliser through the Pertaganik Bestari unit.
This success is reflected in the fantastic figures: KUPS Margo Rukun now records turnover up to Rp2.2 billion per year. Their seedling products and beekeeping cultivation concepts have even been adopted by various multinational companies as standards for land rehabilitation in Lampung.
Shifting to the South Coast of Java, a unique story emerges from Wahyono’s diligent hands in Kampung Laut, Cilacap. In an area once barren due to massive mangrove logging, Wahyono was once considered “mad” by locals for his persistence in replanting mangroves on desolate land full of dead shrimp afflicted by disease.
“Everything was barren before, but I believed mangroves are our natural ‘factory’. Now, the locals’ doubts have vanished,” says Wahyono.
Wahyono’s independent nursery produces up to 800,000 mangrove seedlings every year. The area has now metamorphosed into a centre for educational tourism, recognised by international researchers as a model for coastal ecosystem recovery.
Wahyono emotionally concludes his story: “They used to call me mad; now we’re all ‘mad’ together to protect the forest for our grandchildren’s future.”
Pertamina’s Vice President of Corporate Communication, Muhammad Baron, states that these three success stories are concrete proof of Pertamina’s commitment to supporting the national food sovereignty programme, in line with the vision of the government under President Prabowo Subianto.
The Hutan Lestari programme has planted more than eight million productive trees and mangroves and empowered surrounding communities through the integration of reforestation, economic empowerment, and youth education.
“Pertamina proves that safeguarding the earth’s energy can go hand in hand with fostering community independence. Forests are no longer just protected from damage but nurtured to continuously provide life,” Baron continues.
This programme also contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in ending hunger, promoting sustainable consumption and production, and strengthening action on climate change, while embodying the implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in sustainable business.