InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - Palm oil company Bumitama Gunajaya Agro (BGA Group) is not only focused on validating its conservation areas but also on monitoring land-cover changes using technology. Since 2020, the company has been using remote sensing to track vegetation dynamics and detect potential deforestation risks.
Observations show that approximately 40% of the company's total conservation area consists of structural forests, including secondary forests and mature shrubs. This marks an increase from the 2020 baseline of 34%.
Bumitama aims to raise this figure by 10 percentage points to reach 44% forest cover by the end of 2025. This goal will be pursued through active reforestation, replanting, and supporting natural vegetation growth.
"These efforts are not carried out by the company alone; they involve partnerships with local communities. We believe that successful conservation is inclusive conservation," a BGA Group management representative stated.
Community involvement is a key element of Bumitama's conservation strategy. The company's partnership programs include environmental education, support for eco-friendly agroforestry practices, and community participation in reforestation activities. In many locations, residents are involved in planting endemic trees, monitoring conservation areas, and maintaining reforested plants. As a result, not only is forest cover increasing, but so is the collective awareness of the importance of preserving nature.
"We are trying to make conservation a part of people's daily lives, not an added burden," said a field coordinator for Bumitama's conservation team in West Kalimantan.
Looking to 2028: A Comprehensive Review
Bumitama's long-term plan extends beyond 2025. The company has committed to a second comprehensive review of its High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments no later than 2028. The review aims to update information on boundary changes, legal status, conservation and carbon values, and the effectiveness of current protection measures.
By conducting these periodic reviews, the company hopes to continuously adapt its conservation strategy to new policies, on-the-ground dynamics, and scientific advancements.
Bumitama's actions are also aligned with both national regulations and international market demands. As a key player in the export-oriented palm oil industry, the company consistently adjusts to the latest environmental standards, such as the EU's deforestation-free requirements and global sustainability reporting frameworks.
Amid global pressure on the palm oil industry, transparent and measurable conservation efforts like those undertaken by Bumitama demonstrate that sustainability is not a hindrance but an opportunity to become a more resilient and responsible business. (T2)
