Indonesia and Norway have jointly reviewed the progress of a major forest restoration initiative in South Kalimantan as part of efforts to reduce land-use emissions and advance Indonesia’s climate commitments under the FOLU Net Sink 2030 programme.
Officials from Indonesia’s Environmental Fund Management Agency and Norway’s climate project team conducted field inspections across nearly 83 hectares of rehabilitated forest land in Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency. The assessment focused on evaluating tree survival rates, vegetation growth, and the overall effectiveness of restoration activities being carried out under the programme.
The initiative forms part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to achieve a net carbon sink in the forestry and land-use sector by 2030 through large-scale forest rehabilitation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable land management practices.
The restoration model combines environmental conservation with rural livelihood development. Local communities participating in the programme have planted a mix of long-term tree species, including rubber, durian, mahogany and longan, alongside short-cycle crops such as chilli, tomato and eggplant to generate income during the early stages of forest regeneration.
Officials said the integrated approach is designed to improve land cover, enhance ecosystem resilience and create sustainable economic opportunities for forest-dependent communities. Community forestry groups are expected to play a central role in maintaining the plantations and ensuring the long-term success of rehabilitation efforts.
The Indonesia–Norway collaboration reflects growing international cooperation on climate action and nature-based solutions, with forest restoration emerging as a key pillar in Indonesia’s strategy to curb emissions, strengthen biodiversity conservation and support sustainable rural development.
