GERBANG BARITO REDD+ PROJECT,
INDONESIA
OVERVIEW
Indonesia’s tropical rainforests play a crucial role in global climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. The Gerbang Barito REDD+ Project, located in Central Kalimantan, contributes to these efforts by protecting critical peat swamps and tropical lowland forests, providing habitats for endangered species such as the Bornean orangutan, Sunda pangolin, and helmeted hornbill.
In 2017, the Batampang and Batilap communities received the rights to manage their village forest from Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry. In partnership with Wildlife Works, the project proponent–the Batampang and Batilap communities– are developing their REDD+ project to address major threats to deforestation, including illegal logging, fires, and peatland damage, ensuring the protection of critical ecosystems and species. The project aims to reduce these threats by strengthening community leadership in forest management and investing in their vision for a sustainable future.
"Wildlife Works Indonesia ensures transparency throughout the FPIC process without any deceit or concealment, which is crucial for the community."
-Chief of Batampang Village
-Secretary of Central Kalimantan Provincial Forestry Service
"Throughout my career at the Cental Kalimatan Provincial Forestry Service, this is the first time that a company has conducted FPIC in such an open manner."
-Chief of Batampang Village
"As a leader, I pray that through this project, the community can manage and organize it properly for a prosperous life. The process should also be as fair as possible so the community can be self-sufficient economically."
-Member of Village Forest Management of Batilap
"The benefits of the health treatment center for the community are truly significant because, in the past two months during the floods, many people became ill. This is the first time in 2024 that we have had a free health medical center like this. We hope that in the future, there will be more free treatment initiatives like this from Wildlife Works Indonesia in collaboration with the Village Forest Management of Batampang."
-Head of Village Forest Management Batampang Village
"I appreciate the free medical treatment program provided by Wildlife Works Indonesia for the community in Batampang. As the head of Village Forest Management, I am particularly thankful for the presence of the village forest, reflecting our commitment to the well-being of the village community."
2,507
PEOPLE IN TWO
COMMUNITY FORESTS
19,752
HECTARES OF
PEATLAND PROTECTED
33
ENDANGERED
SPECIES PROTECTED
TBD
tCO2e EMISSIONS
AVOIDED PER YEAR
THREATS TO THE FOREST
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Peatland Degradation: Peatland degradation reduces its ecological functions, including carbon storage and water regulation. This degradation also has dire consequences for biodiversity. For instance, the loss of peat swamp habitat in Kalimantan has been the main driver of a 60% decline in the Bornean orangutan populations over the course of 60 years (Ancrenaz et al., 2016).
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Deforestation: Illegal logging and land conversion lead to habitat fragmentation and loss of key species.
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Wildlife Capture: Local wildlife, especially birds, are often captured for trade in the illegal market.
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Forest Fires: Dried peatlands are prone to fires, destroying habitats and releasing significant amounts of greenhouse gases emissions.
PROJECT STRATEGY
After nearly one and a half years of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) engagement, the Batampang and Batilap Village Forest Management Institutions decided to develop a REDD+ project with Wildlife Works. The Gerbang Barito Village Forest REDD+ Project employs a multi-faceted conservation approach:
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Creating resources for sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
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Strengthening forest governance tools for the Batampang and Batilap Village Forest Management Institutions as the main partner in conservation.
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Implementing forest patrols and fire prevention measures.
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Conducting biodiversity monitoring and peatland restoration
These initiatives aim to reduce forest loss, enhance biodiversity, and improve community well-being.
IMPACT
HIGHLIGHTS
BIODIVERSITY
Conservation of 33 threatened species, including the Bornean orangutan, Sunda pangolin, and helmeted hornbill.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Partnerships with two community forests managed by 2,507 people.
CAPACITY BUILDING
Training for local communities on sustainable forest management and biodiversity monitoring.
EARLY PROJECT INVESTMENTS
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Opened emergency healthcare clinics during the 2024 floods.
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Established reading clubs for women and children to raise environmental awareness.
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Conducting biodiversity surveys focusing on tree species, birds, reptiles, and orangutans.
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Conducting peatland surveys to measure depth, assess canal conditions and estimate peat decomposition rates.
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Strengthening the communities’ Village Forest Management Institutions’ governance body.
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Collaborating with the Village Forest Management Institutions to form local patrol teams for forest monitoring and protection.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
All of Wildlife Works' project contribute to at least 9 of the SDG goals set by the UN to end poverty, promote prosperity, and protect the planet by 2030.
THE COMMUNITY
The Batampang and Batilap communities, primarily of the Dayak Tribe, maintain deep cultural and spiritual connections to the forest. With governance systems blending customary and modern practices, these communities lead efforts in sustainable forest management. Women in Batilap village play a significant role in influencing community decisions, ensuring inclusive development.
Several factors affect the quality of basic needs for these communities, primarily due to inadequate income and limited access to essential resources. These challenges include:
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The remote geographical location, which limits access to key services and facilities.
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An environment unsuitable for agriculture, forcing reliance on food supplies from external regions.
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A lack of capacity among local people to sustainably manage and utilize resources in peatland areas.
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A severe shortage of healthcare facilities and personnel.
COMMUNITY STORIES
ARTICLE 01
A MIDNIGHT MESSAGE
A story of the formulation of articles of association and bylaws for village forest management units in Gerbang Barito REDD+ Project.
ARTICLE 02
AN ORANGE FLASH
In 2024, the Wildlife Works Indonesia (WWI) team celebrated an exciting moment when we received two remarkable wildlife videos from a local community member.
° Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii
Bornean Orangutan
The Bornean orangutan, known for its intelligence and remarkable ability to use tools, is an iconic species of Southeast Asia's forests. These great apes play a crucial role in their ecosystem as seed dispersers, helping maintain forest biodiversity. The Central Bornean orangutan population is estimated at just 38,200 individuals and continues to decline due to habitat loss, illegal logging, and poaching. Listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, immediate action is required to protect their remaining habitats and ensure their survival.
° Manis javanica
Sunda Pangolin
The Sunda pangolin, a nocturnal mammal covered in protective keratin scales, is often referred to as a "living pinecone." These shy creatures are vital for controlling insect populations, consuming up to 70 million ants and termites annually. Unfortunately, they are one of the most trafficked mammals in the world, driven by demand for their scales and meat in traditional medicine and exotic food markets. Classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, their survival depends on stronger anti-poaching measures and international cooperation to combat illegal wildlife trade.
°Rhinoplax vigil
HELMETED HORNBILL
With its distinct casque—a solid, ivory-like structure used in combat and foraging—the helmeted hornbill stands out among its avian relatives. These birds are keystone species, dispersing seeds across vast forest areas, which supports natural regeneration. Sadly, their casques have made them targets for poaching, resulting in a precipitous population decline. Classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, they are at risk of extinction without urgent protection and habitat conservation efforts.
° Helarctos malayanus
MALAYAN SUNBEAR
The smallest bear species in the world, the Malayan sun bear, is easily recognized by the golden crescent marking on its chest. Known as the "honey bear," it has a long tongue designed for extracting honey from hives. These bears are essential for forest health, as their foraging helps spread seeds and control insect populations. Threatened by deforestation, poaching, and illegal pet trade, the sun bear is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and requires habitat protection and enforcement of anti-poaching laws.
THE
BIODIVERSITY
The Gerbang Barito project area provides habitat for flagship species, including:
The Gerbang Barito forest zone is made up of more than 19,000 hectares of rainforest in the Central Kalimantan region of Borneo. The vast peat swamp forests of Borneo, make for one of the most carbon-rich ecosystems on Earth.
The project area consists primarily of peat swamp forests, which play a crucial role in carbon storage and water regulation. These forests store significantly more carbon than other types of forests, but when degraded or burned, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This area is also home to valuable timber species such as Ulin, Shorea and Ramin trees, which are increasingly rare due to overexploitation.
The project area is relatively remote but remains accessible. Small boats, operating daily, are the primary means of transportation in the project area and surrounding villages. Due to the absence of roads connecting villages, residents rely on water transportation to travel to and from their villages. . Within each village, connections are provided by either dirt or concrete roads and bridges. In Batampang Village, there are approximately three km of roads, along with three functioning bridges and three that are currently unpassable. In Batilap Village, 1.3 km of roads connect the area, though some sections are poorly maintained.