Inauguration of Long-Term Cooperation between the Lemmanis Village Forest Management Institution and PT Dharma Satya Nusantara Tbk in the Sustainable Management of the Sepakat Jaya Village Forest

Desa Sepakat Jaya, April 22, 2024 – The Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) Lemmanis and PT Dharma Satya Nusantara Tbk (DSNG) officially inaugurated a long-term collaboration for the management of the village forest (HD) in Desa Sepakat Jaya. The inauguration was opened by the Regent of Ketapang Regency, represented by Mr. Absalon, Expert Staff to the Regent for Community and Human Resources Affairs, and the Head of the West Kalimantan Provincial Environmental and Forestry Agency, represented by Ms. Setiyo Hariyani, Head of the Rehabilitation and Community Empowerment Division.

The partnership between LPHD Lemmanis and DSNG began in 2024 and will last for 25 years, until 2049. This program is a manifestation of DSNG’s commitment as a palm oil company that complies with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification standards. The collaboration is part of DSNG’s Remediation and Compensation Plan (RaCP) under RSPO compliance. The planning and implementation of DSNG’s RSPO RaCP in the Lemmanis Village Forest of Desa Sepakat Jaya is facilitated by the Community Forest Ecosystem Services (CFES).

Arif Aliadi, Chairman of the CFES Executive Board, stated that, “The [DSNG RaCP] program will provide technical assistance and funding facilitation for LPHD Lemmanis in developing and implementing the 25-year Social Forestry Work Plan (RKPS) for Lemmanis Village Forest. The program will also support the improvement of health and education services through regular free medical check-ups, as well as educational support and scholarships for elementary, junior high, senior high, and university levels.”

The Regent of Ketapang, in his speech delivered by Mr. Absalon, expressed high appreciation for the activities conducted by DSNG and CFES in Lemmanis Village Forest. “We hope similar programs can be implemented in other villages so more communities can benefit in managing their village forests, and for the health and education of future generations.”

Echoing the Regent, the Head of the Provincial Environmental and Forestry Office, represented by Ms. Setiyo Hariyani, also praised DSNG, saying: “DSNG is remarkable—even without any plantations in Ketapang, they are still willing to support village forests here. Hopefully other regencies won’t be jealous. If they are, that means we should implement similar programs in other regencies throughout West Kalimantan.”

PT Dharma Satya Nusantara Tbk (DSN Group) was established on September 29, 1980, and operates in the palm oil and wood product sectors. DSNG has been an RSPO member since 2008 and is among the first companies to channel its RSPO RaCP compensation into village forests—not just one, but now two village forests in West Kalimantan are supported by DSNG. The first is HD Manjau in Desa Laman Satong, since 2020, and the second is HD Lemmanis in Desa Sepakat Jaya, since 2024.

The Lemmanis Village Forest received its management permit through the Decree of the Minister of Environment and Forestry on March 30, 2021, with Decree No. SK.1538/MENLHK-PSKL/PKPS/PSL.0 /3/2021 regarding the Granting of Village Forest Management Rights to LPHD Lemmanis, covering ± 6,967 hectares located in a Protected Forest Area (HL) in Desa Sepakat Jaya, Nanga Tayap Subdistrict, Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan Province.

The people of Desa Sepakat Jaya and surrounding villages who attended the inauguration warmly welcomed the partnership program. They understand that this is not a free grant, but rather a payment for ecosystem services received because of their role in protecting the village forest. Redimansyah, Chairman of LPHD Lemmanis, stated in his remarks, “We are happy that our efforts to protect the forest are supported by the company and CFES. We know this is not free money, this means we truly have to take care of our forest to continue receiving support.”

Approximately 80 participants attended the inauguration event, including government officials, company representatives, NGOs, and villagers from Sepakat Jaya and nearby villages. The event, which was also attended by relevant stakeholders including the Ketapang Regency Government, was a strong show of support for community-based conservation programs carried out by LPHD Lemmanis. The collaboration between the government and the community forms a strong foundation to ensure the sustainability of village forest conservation efforts and community welfare in Desa Sepakat Jaya.

Guests were warmly welcomed through traditional rituals of Desa Sepakat Jaya, starting from a welcoming dance with “tepung tawar” (blessing ritual) and Dayak tribal dances, to the presentation of souvenirs in the form of woven bamboo bags from non-timber forest product (NTFP) crafts by KUPS Tanjung Pandan of Desa Sepakat Jaya. DSNG, represented by its Director of Environment, Agustinus Triwibowo, expressed his appreciation and hopes for LPHD Lemmanis and CFES, “We hope this program runs well, the village forest remains protected, and it brings economic improvement to the community. Especially for LPHD Lemmanis, we hope it can become a self-reliant institution, not dependent on anyone, and capable of managing their village forest in terms of planning, financing, and implementing their work plan. May this be a good first step in supporting community-managed village forests, a good example of responsible corporate operations, and a real contribution to the health and education of village communities.”

As the inaugural gong was struck, joy spread among the villagers. Hopefully, it signals a bright future for community-based conservation programs.