Balikpapan, East Kalimantan – PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM), together with the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities/Satuan Kerja Khusus Pelaksana Kegiatan Usaha Hulu Minyak dan Gas Bumi (SKK Migas) for the Kalimantan–Sulawesi Region, has strengthened its commitment to environmental conservation through the Watershed Rehabilitation Program in the Manggar and Sungai Wain Protected Forest areas, East Kalimantan. Tree-planting activities were carried out simultaneously in the Mahakam Working Area and at the Manggar Watershed, Kilometer 12, Balikpapan, on December 20, 2025. This program was implemented to fulfill obligations under the Forest Area Utilization Approval (PPKH) while also promoting ecosystem sustainability and the welfare of surrounding communities.

The planting locations are situated within the Manggar Protected Forest and the Sungai Wain Protected Forest, Karang Joang Subdistrict, North Balikpapan District, Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan Province, covering a total area of 345 hectares and currently entering the first year of maintenance (P1). The Watershed Rehabilitation Program has obtained official site designation from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry/Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK), as stipulated in the Decree of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number SK.11697/Menlhk-PDASRH/KTA/DAS.1/11/2023 dated November 3, 2023.

PHM collaborates with Forest Farmer Groups/Kelompok Tani Hutan (KTH), which are fostered under the Social Forestry Program of the Balikpapan Protected Forest Management Unit/Program Perhutanan Sosial Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan Lindung (KPHL), as area stakeholders to encourage sustainable economic development for communities around forest areas. This collaboration aligns with the vision of creating independent and prosperous communities, preserving forest sustainability, and strengthening national energy security.

The planting pattern adopted is an agroforestry system within social forestry areas, with a composition of 400 main trees per hectare and 100 intercrops per hectare. This system combines Multi-Purpose Tree Species (MPTS) in the form of superior local seedlings, including mangosteen, durian, jackfruit, lychee, avocado, Siam honey orange, longan, and rambutan. In addition, endemic timber species such as pulai, mahogany, jelutung, and meranti were also planted. To optimize land utilization, intercrops developed include coffee, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Mitra Wana Lestari Farmers’ Group Association/Gabungan Kelompok Tani (Gapoktan), Syaifuddin, expressed his appreciation to PHM for implementing watershed rehabilitation planting activities in his area. He assessed that the activity represents a tangible manifestation of PHM’s involvement as a company that consistently supports environmental conservation efforts while also encouraging community economic improvement. “This activity is proof that sustainable forests and prosperous communities can go hand in hand, through forest development combined with fruit plantations and the use of superior seedlings that open up better economic prospects for surrounding communities,” he said.

PHM General Manager Setyo Sapto Edi stated that PHM currently holds eight PPKH Decrees under the name of SKK Migas – PHM located in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan. “PHM is committed to fulfilling all obligations as a PPKH holder promptly while ensuring that watershed rehabilitation implementation provides tangible benefits for surrounding communities, selects superior plant species in accordance with local needs, and supports government reforestation programs in efforts to reduce carbon emissions,” said Setyo.

Representative of the Forest Farmer Groups, Hepi Eko Rahmanto, stated that various natural disasters serve as important reminders of forests' role in maintaining natural balance and sustaining life. He emphasized, “Based on this awareness, we, KTH Sungai Wain, particularly KTH Harapan Sejahtera, are committed to protecting, conserving, and restoring forest functions.” This commitment has been realized since 2024 through support from PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam, including funding for planting facilities and assistance through maintenance. “Through the watershed rehabilitation program from PHM, an area of 214 hectares, which previously consisted partly of open land and monoculture areas, has now been planted with various MPTS species using an agroforestry pattern,” he said, adding that the community has enthusiastically welcomed the program.

Through the rehabilitation of the Manggar and Wain watersheds, the Company hopes to create sustainable added value for local Forest Farmer Groups, including the development of agroforestry businesses, non-timber forest products, and environmental services such as nature-based tourism. This program is expected to provide long-term benefits for surrounding communities while simultaneously strengthening the ecological functions of protected forest areas.

PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) in Zona 8. It manages upstream oil and gas operations and businesses in accordance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in the Mahakam Working Area in East Kalimantan. As a Production Sharing Contract Contractor for the Indonesian government, represented by SKK Migas, PHM, along with its subsidiaries and affiliates, PHI also implements innovative Corporate Social Responsibility programs in the areas of Economics, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response to support sustainable community empowerment and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. For further information about PHM and PHI, please visit https://phi.pertamina.com.