Jakarta – PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) joyfully celebrates the success of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) partner, Bekayuh Beumbai Bebudaya Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis 3B), in winning the 2024 Kalpataru Award in the Environmental Savior category from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry/Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK). Pokdarwis 3B, a PHM-supported group within the Mahakam Dolphin Conservation Program (Komik Pesut Mahakam), manages tourism and conservation efforts for the endangered Mahakam Dolphin in Pela Village, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan.

The Kalpataru Award was personally presented by Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya to Alimin, the Chairman of Pokdarwis 3B, during the Kalpataru Award Ceremony 2024 at the KLHK's Manggala Wanabakti Building in Jakarta on June 5, 2024, coinciding with World Environment Day. The event was also attended by Deputy Minister of Environment and Forestry Alue Dohong, Acting Director General of Social Forestry and Environmental Partnerships/Perhutanan Sosial dan Kemitraan Lingkungan (PSKL) Bambang Supriyanto, and Chairman of the Kalpataru Advisory Council Hassan Wirajuda.

Minister Siti Nurbaya stated that the Kalpataru Award is given to individuals or groups that have made extraordinary and tangible contributions to preserving, restoring, and improving the quality of the environment, forestry, and the social quality of communities. The 2024 Kalpataru Awards were given to 10 individuals or groups, including four pioneers in the Environmental Pioneer category, one Environmental Devotee, three Environmental Saviors, and two Environmental Builders.

"The Kalpataru Award recipients are heroes in the environment and forestry field. The selection process is stringent and includes public feedback," said Siti. The selection begins with regional proposals and recommendations, followed by administrative, technical, and field verification by a special team of experts from various disciplines. The results are then deliberated by the Kalpataru Award Advisory Council, chaired by Hassan Wirajuda, Indonesia's Foreign Minister from 2001-2009. The council is comprised of 12 individuals with exceptional knowledge and experience in the environment and forestry field.

In implementing the Komik Pesut Mahakam Program, PHM collaborates with the local government, the Kutai Kartanegara Environmental Agency, and the Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia Conservation Foundation (RASI). Through this program, Pokdarwis 3B Desa Pela engages local youth in environmental conservation activities through tourism awareness.

On a separate occasion, PHM General Manager Setyo Sapto Edi expressed his appreciation for Pokdarwis 3 B's dedication to the conservation of the Mahakam Dolphin and the development of Pela Tourism Village. "The shift in mindset, behavior, and skills of the community is key to protecting and preserving the Mahakam Dolphin while developing the tourism village," said Setyo. He hopes Pokdarwis 3B will continue to inspire environmental conservation and tourism development efforts in Indonesia.

Following the award ceremony, Alimin, Chairman of Pokdarwis 3B Desa Pela, expressed his gratitude. "Despite the challenges, we continue to strive to preserve the Mahakam Dolphin. We never imagined that Pela Village could develop into an internationally recognized tourism village as it is today," he said emotionally.

The conservation efforts for the Mahakam Dolphin also boost the local economy in Pela Village through tourism management involving local SMEs, youth, and women. "All our achievements are thanks to PHM's support and contributions," emphasized Alimin. In 2023, Pokdarwis 3B won the Kalpataru Award at the Kutai Kartanegara District and East Kalimantan Provincial levels.

Senior Manager of Relations at PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), Handri Ramdhani, said this award further motivates and dedicates Pokdarwis 3B to continue working and contributing to preserving the Mahakam Dolphin. "The Komik Pesut Mahakam Program is a manifestation of our commitment to supporting sustainable development or SDGs. The preservation of the Mahakam Dolphin is a legacy for future generations as this species is only found in Indonesia," explained Handri.

The conservation of the Mahakam Dolphin uses a community-based tourism method. Pela Village is currently the largest habitat for the Mahakam Dolphin, scientifically known as Orcaella brevirostris. The Komik Pesut Program is designed to protect and preserve the Mahakam Dolphin while promoting local economic empowerment in Pela Village. In 2023, Pela Tourism Village was selected as one of 20 villages worldwide to receive the international Member of The Best Tourism Village Upgrade Programme 2023 award from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The Komik Pesut Program is also part of the company's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) management implementation, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 14 on Life Below Water. One of its achievements is the reduction in the mortality rate of Mahakam Dolphins due to fishing nets, from 66 percent in 2021 to 0 percent in 2023-2024, thanks to the use of Acoustic Pinger innovation, which modifies sound resonance used in upstream oil and gas seismic activities.

The Komik Pesut Program contributes to Goal 8 on Economic Growth and Decent Work by developing eco-tourism in Pela Village, driving the economy of 539 residents and five surrounding areas.

PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), managing upstream oil and gas operations and business by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in the Mahakam Work Area in East Kalimantan. In collaboration with SKK Migas, PHM, along with PHI's other subsidiaries and affiliates, conducts innovative Corporate Social Responsibility programs in the fields of Economy, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response to support sustainable community empowerment and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PHI's headquarters is in Jakarta. More information about PHI is available on the PHI's website at https://phi.pertamina.com.