How Siak Shows its Responsibility in Utilizing DHB-DR Funds for Sustainable Ecosystem

Siak has demonstrated its status as a Sustainable District responsibly. The Revenue Sharing Fund for Reforestation (DHB-DR) has been allocated optimally to sustain the ecosystem in Siak. Following a roadshow conducted by LTKL, Siak successfully identified effective ways to utilize the 53 billion DHB-DR funds.

Siak is using these funds for the development and management of a grand forest park, as well as allocating the funds for the prevention, mitigation, and post-fire management of forest and land fires.

Siak starts by developing a work plan with LTKL. This began with the implementation of a biodiversity management program, which includes the preparation of profiles and rehabilitation framework labels. The results are written in a formal document.

This document serves as a reference for biodiversity management models and helps determine types of sustainable businesses that can be maximized in Siak. This involves establishing a database system and defining the limit area for conservation zone.

The LTKL roadshow aims to encourage sustainable districts to seek intensive funding beyond the Regional Budget (APBD), in order to implement sustainability activities. The APBD is often allocated for county operational activities, while development activities typically require larger funds.

Siak has compiled a biodiversity profile and a master plan related to biodiversity. One aspect of the master plan is the establishment of an area called Taman Kehati (Biodiversity Park), which will serve as an educational model for native plants growing in Siak. Taman Kehati will also function as a nursery.

The park, that will be built in 12 hectares area, will exclusively house native Siak plants or act as a connectivity hub for specialist plants. It will serve as an eco-tourism destination without any conversion into private farm.

The DHB-DR funds will also be allocated for village financing activities, fire prevention support in collaboration with the Environmental Agency (DLH) and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), also mangrove studies. Mangrove or forest bamboo studies are often included in long-term policies that rarely receive regular APBD funding.

Utilizing DHB-DR funds can address various issues in Siak, which actually are connected with environmental problems. For instance, health issues whose causes were identified after understanding peatland problems, where it’s previously not well-managed in Siak. Environmental problems must be resolved through thorough studies, so it will be a domino effect to solve other related issues.

Nevertheless, Siak will still develop a specific peatland ecosystem management plan. Of the 53 billion DHB-DR funds, the first step is to determine if there is still an allocation available for peatland. However, Siak ensures that there will be funding from any incentive funds to carry out this initiative, as Siak has been designated a target beneficiary area by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).