“This program marks the start of forest and land rehabilitation supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which recognizes Indonesia’s progress in cutting emissions,” the provincial forestry office head, Fathimatuzzahra, said in Banjarbaru.
She said the 2025 REDD+ RBP initiative covers five areas: Cempaka village in Banjarbaru, Banjang village in Hulu Sungai Utara district, Limpasu village in Hulu Sungai Tengah district, Baliangin sub-district in Banjar district, and Gunung Sari village in Kotabaru district.
The GCF Output 2 Project funding of around Rp50 billion (around US$3 million) reflects international confidence that must be met with orderly and transparent implementation, she added.
The initial planting covers 27 hectares divided into four blocks: two for high-value fruit species including matoa, mangosteen, cempedak and avocado; one for endemic ironwood (ulin); and one for eucalyptus.
Fathimatuzzahra said degraded land in the province had declined, with data from the Forestry Ministry showing critical land shrinking from 511,594 hectares in 2018 to 458,478 hectares in 2022. Rehabilitation programs had restored 168,086 hectares by October 2025.
She said the 2025 REDD+ RBP rollout aims to speed up ecosystem recovery and improve environmental conditions for communities in vulnerable areas.
The program’s launch involved regional authorities, national forestry units, community groups and environmental stakeholders.
“With a results-based approach, we aim to make this program a strategic step toward a greener, more resilient South Kalimantan,” she said.
Related news: RI completes REDD+ RBP 2014-2016, cutting 20.25M tons CO2e emissions
Related news: Indonesia eyes $90M Climate Fund to hit forest emission targets
Translator: Tumpal Andani Aritonang, Martha Herlinawati Simanj
Editor: Arie Novarina
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