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Report shows forest conservation practiced by Golden Agri Resources |
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A NEW report by Indonesian environmental NGO Greenomics said Golden Agri Resources (GAR) has made notable progress in preserving carbon-rich forests and peatlands in Kalimantan.
Satellite imagery and permit data indicated three GAR companies operating in Kapulas Hulu Regency in West Kalimantan Province PT Paramitra Internusa Pratama (PIP), PT Persada Graha Mandiri (PGM), and PT Kartika Prima Cipta (KPC) had preserved more than 2,000 hectares of peatlands within their concessions.
In February 2011, GAR signed an agreement with The Forest Trust (TFT), a nonprofit organization that works with companies to promote green practices. Under the agreement, GAR pledged to refrain from developing palm oil plantations in carbon-rich forests and peatlands.
"It appears that concrete efforts are being made to conserve secondary swamp forest in parts of Golden Agri's palm concessions," Greenomics said in the May 24 report posted on its website. "Our investigations have found indications that land clearing operations are not being conducted in certain secondary forest blocks by the three GAR companies due to forest conservation considerations."
However, the study also found some land-clearing activities were being conducted in secondary swamp forests outside of areas covered by the permits, and that some of these activities involved critically endangered tree species.
Tempo
No. 41/12, June 10, 2012
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