Central Kalimantan, INDONESIA, Jan 19, 2021 – (ACN Newswire) – In September 2020, the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve project obtained independent verification for contributing to the environment, biodiversity and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and upholding the rules and procedures of the SD VISta (Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard) Program.

Rimba Raya is the first REDD+ project validated under the SD VISta Program for its impact on each of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), resulting from the project's various activities. The initiatives introduced prevent deforestation and land-use change and encourage community development and economic growth.

"We are very proud of the verification results. This makes the Rimba Raya project become even more determined as a verifiable REDD+ conservation project with additional benefits for the environment and society, supporting people's lives and achieving an impact toward the 17 SDG goals," said Sylviana Andhella, Executive Director of Rimba Raya Conservation.

In January 2020, an independent third-party assessment was carried out by AENOR at the Rimba Raya project in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The main objective of the assessment was to ensure compliance with the rules and requirements of the SD VISta Program were being met..

The scope of the assessment included the impact of the project on sustainable development, and our contribution to the UN SDGs, and their benefit to community members, including their financial prosperity. Additionally, the project was evaluated for significant contribution to the protection of habitat and biodiversity.

The SD VISta Program provides a new standard for understanding the specific impact of a project, both environmental and social aspects. SD VISta enables the project to assess the benefits of sustainable development generated directly towards achieving the SDG's goals. By successfully completing the Verra SD VISta audit, the Rimba Raya project provides a new level of quality assurance and transparency in reporting project results and additional impact claims for emissions reduction efforts.

Rimba Raya project was initiated by InfiniteEARTH, implemented and managed by Rimba Raya Conservation. The purpose of the project is to reduce emissions in Indonesia by conserving about 64,000 hectares which encompasses large areas of tropical peat swamp forest. This action was vital to preventing the conversion of the entire area to an oil palm plantation, which would certainly have led to additional forest degradation within the adjacent Tanjung Puting National Park and consequent loss of biodiversity and habitat, particularly for the endangered Bornean orangutan and other vulnerable animals listed on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. Rimba Raya project works in 14 villages in Seruyan district, Central Kalimantan, in which community living dependently on rivers and forests within and along the project's borders.

Over the years, Rimba Raya project has introduced several economic incentives which are aimed at promoting community development, district government infrastructure and project area protection. Community programs serve as a means to encourage continued efforts in the preservation of the tropical peatland forests and to encourage a greater understanding of each individual's impact, while highlighting the importance of coming together as a community to ensure that these initiatives are relevant and sustainable.

Community involvement is enhanced through the development of programs that improve quality of life. These initiatives cover a broad spectrum of services such as:
– Initiatives that promote sustainable livelihoods
– Increased access to healthcare
– Early childhood development
– Fire prevention activities
– Water filtration systems
– Access to training and higher education
– Forest patrols

Verified Sustainable Development Goals

SDG No. – GOAL – Direct Contributing Project Activities
1. No Poverty – Employment, Micro enterprises, Solar Power & Solar Lanterns
2. Zero Hunger – Chicken Farms & Zuper Shrimp Paste
3. Good health & well being – Floating Clinic, Reading Glasses
4. Quality Education – Training, Scholarships, Community Centers & Village Libraries, Mangrove Reforestation
5. Gender Equality – RRC employment, Chickens Farm & Zuper Shrimp Paste
6. Clean Water and Sanitation – Water filters and Water Filtration systems
7. Affordable and Clean Energy – Power Solar & Solar Lanterns
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth – Chickens Farm & Zuper Shrimp Paste, Tree nurseries, Community Centers & Village Libraries
9. Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure – Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure Solar power, Micro-Credit; Chickens Farm & Zuper Shrimp Paste, Community Centers
10. Reducing Inequality – Solar Power & Solar Lanterns, Water filters
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities – Support for Tanjung Puting National, Orangutan Care Facility
12. Responsible Consumption and Production – School Curriculum: promoting Climate Change/Sustainability at school in project area
13. Climate Action – Mangrove Reforestation & Peat Swamp Reforestation, Establishment and Protection of the Rimba Raya Reserve, Community Firefighting, Training, School Curriculum: Climate Change/Sustainability, Tree nurseries
14. Life Below Water – Seruyan River Cleanup; Mangrove Reforestation
15. Life on Land – Mangrove Reforestation & Peatswamp Reforestation, Tree nurseries, Establishment and Protection of the Rimba Raya
16. Peace, Justice, & Strong Institutions – Community Centers, Solar power
17. Partnerships for the Goals – Development Donations

About PT Rimba Raya Conservation

PT Rimba Raya Conservation (PT 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 forest's biodiversity. The release of orangutans is one of the fundamental obligations of PT RRC as the licensee of Timber Forest Product Utilization Restoration (IUPHHK-RE).

PT RRC is clearly committed to protect, conserve and secure its work area concession of 64,000 hectares to the fullest including to restore the forest and its biodiversity and the local community. PT RCC is a privately held company that pioneers ecosystem conservation and restoration by implementing a REDD+ program. For more information, please visit www.rimba-raya.com.

Contacts:
Frita Junita
Communication Officer, Rimba Raya Conservation
Email: rimbarayajakarta@gmail.com
Hp +62 857-1743-7001

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Central Kalimantan, INDONESIA, Jan 14, 2021 – (ACN Newswire) – In November 2020, Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve conducted training sessions aimed at strengthening the capacity of Farmer Groups (KT). The goal of these sessions was to help farmers improve their skills in cultivation and agriculture through our Peatland Farmer Field School (Peatland-FFS). The sessions were attended by 2 Farmer Groups: Harapan Jaya from Jahitan Village, and Hijau Bakung Permai from Baung Village.

This activity is a continuation of the Peatland-FFS training program held in September 2020, conducted by Rimba Raya in collaboration with the National Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG). The farmer group from Rimba Raya working area participated at that time. Aside from focusing on improving farming skills, participants were trained in preparing their land for agricultural development without the use of traditional 'slash and burn' methods.

During our most recent training sessions, Rimba Raya encouraged farmers to build on their traditional agricultural knowledge with a focus on non-destructive land use and the development of areas according to soil suitability. The efficient production of nutritious food while ensuring forest preservation was strongly encouraged.

The farmers were taught how to make organic fertilizers and pesticides using organic waste from their immediate environment. "Crop and forest burning actually eliminates beneficial microorganisms and nutrients, as it releases unwanted carbon dioxide into the atmosphere," said Sylviana Andhella, Executive Director of Rimba Raya.

"Land preparation without burning and the use of organic fertilizers for agricultural practices will reduce carbon emissions and support the balance of microorganisms. This is in alignment with our project objective to reduce carbon emissions," Andhella explained.

Additionally, the farmers were empowered to manage their own farmer organizations. This included the election of a chairman, secretary and treasurer by the group members. These positions were then ratified by the local village government.

During the training sessions, farmer groups were encouraged to develop relationships for cooperation and networking with other farmer groups around the project area. This allows them to share information, experiences and valuable lessons learned which are beneficial to all farmers.

"I am thankful that Rimba Raya included our farmer group in this initiative. We learned how to make organic fertilizer and our understanding of horticultural farming techniques has grown. We are eager to develop our farms using these strategies with the hope that we will be more successful so that we can set an example to other community farmers," said Ardiansyah Ardian, head of Hijau Bakung Permai farmer group of Baung Village.

About Rimba Raya

The Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve is the largest REDD+ project in the world, protecting nearly 65,000 hectares of peat swamp forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo and avoiding more than 130 million tons of carbon emissions. Rimba Raya is a living example of an economically viable alternative to deforestation.

Rimba Raya develops livelihood programs in surrounding villages (addressing all 17 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals) to provide education, employment and hope for the future. Rimba Raya is also the world's largest privately-funded orangutan sanctuary, and an InfiniteEARTH Project. Please visit https://rimba-raya.com.

Contact:
Frita Junita
Communication Officer – PT. Rimba Raya Conservation
Email: rimbarayajakarta@gmail.com, HP: +62 857-1743-7001

*This Press Release was originally issued on December 5, 2020 with inaccurate Contact information. To contact Rimba Raya, please refer to the Contact information above.

Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com