Penajam – A subsidiary of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), namely PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM), succeeded in carrying out Watershed Rehabilitation (DAS) in Kendilo Production Forest, covering an area of ​​669 hectares in Paser District, East Kalimantan Province. This success was conveyed at the Expose of Assessment Results and Handover of Planting Results in the context of Rehabilitation of the SKK Migas Watershed Mahakam Work Area (17/03/2023), held at the office of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Jakarta.

The rehabilitation activities carried out by PHM from 2018 to 2023 are related to fulfilling the obligations of the Forest Area Use Permit (IPPKH) issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

Acting General Manager of PHM, Ferico Afrinas, conveyed the company's commitment to natural rehabilitation and environmental preservation through this watershed rehabilitation program, estimated to reach 2,189 ha wider than PPKH's obligation of 1,986.40 ha.

"PHM has been declared "successful" in carrying out watershed rehabilitation in the Kendilo Production Forest covering an area of ​​669 hectares (ha) by an assessment team consisting of the Mahakam Berau BPDAS agency, the East Kalimantan Provincial Forestry Service, the Kendilo Production Forest Management Unit (KPHP), and supervised by PDASRH KLHK team. The assessment activity was carried out on 13-19 October 2022," said Federico.

Planting activities by PHM are divided into several planting blocks, namely Block A (226 Ha), Block B (760 Ha), Block C (482 Ha), Block D (200 Ha), Block E (450 Ha) and Block F (71 Ha) ) with several plants of 1,100 stems per hectare, consisting of woody plant species in the form of Jabon, Sengon, Meranti, Kapur, Bengkirai, Keruing, Medang, Mahoni, and Multi Propose Tree Species (MTPs) in the form of local Durian, Cempedak, Petai, Jengkol, Jackfruit and Candlenut and Agarwood.

Federico added that in carrying out this rehabilitation activity, the company partnered with local farmer groups collaborating on social forestry, namely the Alas Taka Forest Farmers Group (KTH), Muara Samu Village, and KTH Aper Sejahtera, Saing Prupuk Village. KPHP Kendilo, Paser District, East Kalimantan Province, assists the two farmer groups.

Director General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation (PDASRH), Ir. Dyah Murtiningsih, M.Hum, who at the same time received the submission of the results of the assessment, expressed his appreciation for the success of the watershed rehabilitation carried out by PHM. "This is a form of PHM compliance with the fulfillment of PPKH obligations. Hopefully, PHM can continue to participate in post-delivery maintenance," said Dyah.

President Director of PHI, Chalid Said Salim, said that the watershed rehabilitation activities carried out by PHM were in line with the company's policy to run safe, efficient, reliable, compliant and environmentally friendly upstream oil and gas operations. "We believe that environmental management and conservation activities are an integral part of supporting the continuity of the Company's operations and business to produce energy for Indonesia," said Chalid.

To realize this policy, according to Chalid, the company always collaborates with all stakeholders, especially the government and communities around the company's operational areas.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Formality, Environment Division Deputy for Business Support of SKK Migas, George Nicholas M. Simanjuntak, conveyed the importance of caring for and involving the community in watershed rehabilitation activities carried out by the PSC Contractors.

"We always involve the community to care about the surrounding environment, which impacts their economy, especially during the last COVID-19. Rehabilitation activities will support the achievement of Indonesia Forestry and Other Land Uses (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 and net zero emission 2060 through carbon capture activity campaigns," said George.

PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) is a subsidiary of PHI that carries out upstream oil and gas operations and business according to ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) principles in the Mahakam Work Area in East Kalimantan. PHM, along with other PHI subsidiaries and affiliates, continue to carry out various innovations and technological applications in producing safe, efficient, reliable, compliant, and environmentally friendly energy to realize #EnergiKalimantanForIndonesia. Further information on PHI is available athttps://phi.pertamina.com.