Planting Hope, Protecting the Springs of Manjau Village Forest

The Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) Manjau, located in Laman Satong Village, West Kalimantan, holds a strong commitment to preserving the Manjau Village Forest. This forest serves as the sole primary water source for the residents of Manjau Hamlet. Unfortunately, in recent years, the spring water flow has significantly declined. To address this issue, LPHD Manjau has undertaken various conservation efforts, including forest patrols, reforestation and seedling cultivation, as well as tree planting activities.

To maximize efforts to preserve the Village Forest, LPHD Manjau formed two teams with specific tasks. First, the Planting Team, consisting of six members, is fully responsible for the process of seedling cultivation and tree planting in the village forest area. In addition, this team also actively assists community members who want to plant trees on their private land by providing seedlings and technical assistance. Second, the Forest Patrol Team is tasked with protecting the forest from the threats of encroachment and illegal logging. In addition to conducting patrols, this team also plants trees along the routes they patrol..

LPHD Manjau has set a target to plant at least 1,000 tree seedlings annually. A diverse mix of trees is planted with the aim of restoring forest functions and enhancing biodiversity. These include fruit trees such as matoa, langsat, melinjau, jengkol, petai, cempedak, and durian, as well as timber species like gaharu, banyan, jungkang, and medang.

To ensure the program's success, LPHD Manjau conducts regular evaluations to monitor tree growth, identify challenges, and formulate necessary improvements. This tree-planting initiative is expected to yield positive environmental impacts and enhance the well-being of Laman Satong residents. The initiative not only revitalizes the forest, but also contributes to biodiversity conservation, clean water availability, and greater community awareness of the importance of environmental stewardship. It is hoped that these efforts will establish LPHD Manjau as an inspiring model for other local organizations in safeguarding nature and improving rural livelihoods in a sustainable way.