Do you remember the story of The Journey of Reforestation at Kehje Sewen Forest? After months of careful care in the nursery, these tree seedlings have been planted into their natural habitats. This reforestation activity involved five members of our Habitat Management and Restoration Team (PPH): Yen, Emen, Zahra, Mardi, and Uci. The planting site was located in Muara Soh Km 94, approximately 8 km from Camp Lesik.

Kehje Sewen: A Home for Biodiversity

Kehje Sewen is a habitat restoration area of 86,593.65 hectares with a significant biodiversity. The survival of the wildlife inhabiting this area depends on the preservation of their habitat. Therefore, habitat restoration efforts are a primary responsibility of our PPH team in managing this forest. One crucial step in this effort is tree planting to support a balanced ecosystem.

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In addition to planting, our PPH team also conducts habitat development by implementing environmentally friendly waste management. Although it is not an easy task, we continue to try to do our best for the sustainability of the ecosystem in the Kehje Sewen Forest.

Why Is This Tree Planting Important?

Reforestation in Kehje Sewen Forest aims to enrich food sources and nesting trees for orangutans that will be reintroduced into this area. Orangutans are a key species in the forest and play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance. As arboreal animals, orangutans spend most of their time in the trees, with 70% of their diet consisting of fruits. Therefore, the availability of food and nesting trees is essential for their survival.

Read also: A HOME FOR ORANGUTANS IS A HOME FOR ALL WILDLIFE

Tree planting is conducted in areas identified as having low tree species diversity and minimal vegetation density. As a key pillar of habitat restoration, our PPH team is responsible for enhancing these areas to ensure an ideal environment for orangutans and other wildlife.

The Planting Process: From Identification to Monitoring

The tree planting activity begins with a site survey, where the team identifies suitable locations using a plot sampling method. If a plot contains fewer than 25 standing trees, the area is considered suitable for reforestation.

Seedlings that have been carefully prepared in the nursery are then transferred to the planting site. The planting process follows established standards in terms of quantity and spacing. However, the work does not end there. The team continues to monitor the site for approximately two months to ensure the survival of the newly planted trees. If any trees do not survive, they are promptly replaced with new seedlings.

Read also: FLOWERS, FRUITS, AND MORE IN THE KEHJE SEWEN FOREST

Through this tree planting initiative, we hope to make a significant impact on the sustainability of Kehje Sewen Forest’s ecosystem. More importantly, orangutans and other wildlife will directly benefit from this effort. Planting trees in Kehje Sewen is not just about reforestation—it is about planting hopes for the future of biodiversity in this forest.

Text by: RE-PPH Team, PT. RHOI at Kehje Sewen Forest, East Kalimantan