SERUYAN, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, June 3, 2014 (ANTARA) -- Four of nine villages in Seruyan Regency have received the Village Development Funds as a realization of the Community Development located around the work area of PT. Rimba Raya Conservation (RRC). Vice President Public & Government Relations, PT. Rimba Raya Conservation, Nisa Jalil, explained, "The fund contribution for the Village Development is a part of the obligation of RRC in implementing the ecosystem conservation and restoration program that is related to REDD+ (emission reduction through the degradation and deforestation) for Ulak Batu village, Danau Sembuluh sub-district, which is used to build Ulak Batu's village hall."

She continued, "The fund donated to Palingkau village, Danau Sembuluh sub-district, will be leveraged to build a multipurpose hall, while the fund given to Telaga Pulang village, Danau Sembuluh sub-district will be absorbed to procure 10 units of PC/laptops, and fund for Muara Dua village, Seruyan Hilir sub-district, will be used to acquire 10 cows."

The handover of the Village Development Funds ceremony was facilitated by World Education, which was representated by Billy M. Hasbi, the Field Coordinator, as the partner of RRC. The handover of the Funds was conducted by the Program Manager, REDD+, PT. Rimba Raya Conservation, Dadang Setiawan, who handed over the funds to all of the Village Heads witnessed by sub-district head of Danau Sembuluh sub-district, Joansyah. In the ceremony, each village was represented to receive the funds; Ulak Batu village was represented by Sahriansyah, Palingkau village represented by Karta, Telapa Pulang village represented by Joyo and Muara Dua village was represented by the Muara Dua village head, Ambri Aini witnesssed by Seruyan Hilir sub-district head, Idham BW Kusumah.

To donate the Rp. 40-million fund, RRC obliges all of the villages to submit a proposal of the fund implementation planning that explains in detail on what the fund will be spent for. Therefore, each funded village has different purpose and use as it is based on the need of the people living in each village. In the meantime, there are five other villages that haven't finished the proposal of the fund implementation planning; Cempaka Baru, Baung, Jahitan, Tanjung Rengas, and Sungai Perlu.

The CEO of RRC, L. Djonni Andhella, explained that the Community Development Program is a part of the RRC's work program implementation according to the license or the decree of the Minister of Forestry that permits PT. Rimba Raya Conservation to conduct the Ecosystem Restoration that is in line with the decree of the Minister of Forestry No.146/Menhut-II/5 March 2013 and the decree of Ministry of Forestry No. 735/Menhut-II/October 25, 2013 in the work area of 37.151 hectares located in Seruyan regency, province of Central Kalimantan. The Ecosystem Restoration program by RRC reflects that RRC schematically protects, preserves and fosters the forest area as the Earth's lung, the habitat for the wide variety of biodiversity and the source of the livelihood for the community living surrounding the work area of PT. Rimba Raya Conservation.

RRC is the first-ever company in Indonesia that implements the REDD+ program within the work area in Seruyan, Central Borneo, and possesses three prioritized work programs related to the climate change countermeasures, the conservation of forest's biodiversity and the Village Community Development.

The handover of the Community Development Funds in four of nine villages in Seruyan regency is a part of the corporate obligation through the Community Development. "Community Development to PT. Rimba Raya Conservation is an obligation to be realized as an integral part of the REDD+ program implementation, and it's completely different with the Corporate Social Responsibility," CEO, PT. Rimba Raya Conservation, L. Djonni Andhella concluded.


About PT. Rimba Raya Conservation

PT. Rimba Raya Conservation (RRC) is a company that develops the programs of ecosystem conservation and restoration by protecting and securing the trees, establishing the forest and conserving the the forest's biodiversities. The release of orangutan is one of the fundamental obligation of RRC as the licensee of Timber Forest Product Utilization Restoration (IUPHHK-RE).

RRC is clearly committed to protect, conserve and secure its work area consession of 64.000 hectares to the fullest including to restore the forest and its bioderversities and the local community. RCC is a privately held company that pioneers the ecosystem conservation and restoration by implementing REDD+ program.

Contact person:
Vice President Public & Government Relations,
PT. Rimba Raya Conservation,
Nisa Jalil
Phone: +62 817 667 2576
Email: nisajalil@rimba-raya.com

Editor: PR Wire
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