Green Firm Sees Forest Communities as Equal Partners

By hampshirehouse • March 4, 2014 • katingan

Jakarta. A green entrepreneur and his forest conservation company are leading the way with a business model that is not just green and sustainable but has the backing and involvement of the community.

Dharsono Hartono, president director of Rimba Makmur Utama

Dharsono Hartono, president director of Rimba Makmur Utama, has invested in a restoration project consisting of 217,000 hectares of forest inside the Katingan peatlands in Central Kalimantan, where the company engages in regular talks with residents of the area on an equal footing.

The company’s aim is not only to preserve and restore the forest area from deforestation for oil palm projects, but to help local business thrive as well.

Rimba Makmur Utama is following the United Nations climate change mitigation strategy called REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation). It aims to help residents operate environmentally friendly businesses, employ locals and discourage them from working in unsustainable forestry or contribute to anymore carbon emissions in addition to the peatlands.

Read the full story at theJakartaGlobe.com…