Jakarta– To enhance support among oil and gas workers within Pertamina's Upstream Subholding for the restoration of the Bekantan habitat, PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Sangasanga Field presented the success of the Sungai Hitam Lestari Eco-Tourism Program (SHL) during the Forum Komet (Knowledge Management) Webinar facilitated by the Human Resources Directorate of PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE) on Friday (07/19). The forum featured two speakers from PEP Sangasanga Field: Senior Manager Sigid Setiawan and Head of Communication Relations & CID Zone 9 Elis Fauziyah.

Sungai Hitam Lestari Eco-Tourism Program (SHL) is a flagship CSR program focused on Bekantan conservation through habitat restoration and revitalization efforts in the Samboja region of East Kalimantan. In 2023, this program earned PEP Sangasanga Field a PROPER Gold award from Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).

Sigid explained that the SHL Program simultaneously conducts Bekantan conservation activities, eco-tourism, and MSME development. "The restoration or revitalization of Bekantan habitats helps maintain the population of this endemic species in Kalimantan, allowing them to continue living and breeding. This means the Bekantan population is expected to increase," Sigid said.

Currently, the Bekantan population in Samboja, particularly in Sungai Hitam, is estimated to be around 400 individuals, a significant increase from the 188 individuals recorded in 2013.

"For Bekantan habitat restoration, since the SHL program began in 2019, PEP Sangasanga has planted 2,500 mangrove seedlings, a food source for Bekantan," he said. The mangrove forest, currently spanning 120 hectares and continuously restored, is recorded to absorb up to 175.34 tons of CO2eq annually.

According to Sigid, the program supports various productive and economically valuable activities, such as river tours for tourism, tour guide training, eco-tourism education for schoolchildren, and the production of products derived from nipa and mangrove leaves.

Additionally, Sigid believes collaboration with local Tourism Awareness Groups (Pokdarwis) is key to this program's success and development. "We hope the program's independence can be achieved by 2028. Therefore, in 2024, PEP Sangasanga Field will inaugurate several supporting facilities for the SHL program, including a learning corner, food court, parking area, and restrooms, aimed at enhancing eco-tourism and attracting more visitors," he added.

Meanwhile, Elis Fauziyah stated that the SHL Program addresses two issues simultaneously: community economic concerns and the decreasing Bekantan habitat in the area. "PEP Sangasanga Field is committed to executing the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program that supports community development and independence in line with the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," said Elis.

The SHL Program supports the simultaneous achievement of three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 1, to reduce poverty; Goal 8, to promote decent work and economic growth; and Goal 15, to protect life on land.

PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Sangasanga Field, under the Upstream Regional 3 Subholding managed by PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), operates by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Through collaboration with SKK Migas, PEP Sangasanga Field, along with PHI's subsidiaries and affiliates, implements 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 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. More information about PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.