Balikpapan– PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT), in collaboration with the Balikpapan Botanical Gardens, held a national seminar entitled "Rebuilding Biodiversity Through the Development of Species Orchid Collections in the Balikpapan Botanical Gardens" (27/05/2023). The activity, held in commemoration of Biodiversity Day every May 22, took place in a hybrid manner and was attended by 243 participants.

Zone 10 General Manager, Djudjuwanto explained that this activity was part of the company's commitment to protecting biodiversity in Indonesia as a mega-biodiversity country, where Kalimantan Island has high biodiversity.

"This seminar aims to provide the understanding and increase awareness of various stakeholders on the importance of protecting biodiversity in Indonesia," said Djudjuwanto.

According to him, PHKT, together with other PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) subsidiaries, namely PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) and PT Pertamina Hulu Sanga Sanga (PHSS), have played a role in managing biodiversity in the form of the Orchidarium Thematic Park program through collaboration with the Botanical Gardens. Balikpapan (KRB).

"We made an artificial garden with the theme of a collection of orchid plants (Orchidaceae) which are conserved ex-situ or outside their natural habitat," said Djudjuwanto.

Furthermore, Djudjuwanto added that through this program, in addition to being an orchid conservation location, the orchidarium thematic garden will be used as an educational tourism center for orchids, especially Kalimantan orchids, and become a learning and tourism facility for the surrounding community.

The Head of the Service Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) of the Balikpapan Botanical Gardens, Lukman Riyadi, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration in holding this national seminar; and explained the role of KRB as the front guard in biodiversity conservation activities in Kalimantan especially orchids.

According to Lukman, through the Orchidarium program exploration activities, KRB succeeded in increasing 90 new collections of orchid species that still needed to be added to the Balikpapan Botanical Garden collection to 202 species.

"As for program implementation in 2023, activities will focus on the physical development of the park, such as an amphitheatre, wooden bridges, park benches and other infrastructure," he concluded.

PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT) is a subsidiary of PHI which manages upstream oil and gas operations and business according to ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) principles in the East Kalimantan & Attaka Work Area in East Kalimantan. PHKT and other PHI subsidiaries and affiliates run innovative Social and Environmental Responsibility programs in Economy, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure and Disaster Response to support sustainable community empowerment and achievement of Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. Further information on PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.