InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA — The Bulungan District Government has partnered with the Nusantara Nature Conservation Foundation (YKAN) and IPB University to accelerate green development across the region. The collaboration begins with a pilot program in 10 villages in Peso District, which will serve as training hubs for sustainable natural resource management.
“These ten villages are expected to become fast-growing, integrated zones and serve as models for other districts that seek to pursue sustainable resource management while improving community welfare,” Bulungan Regent Syarwani said during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Cooperation Agreement on Wednesday (19/11).
The tripartite collaboration covers natural resource and biodiversity management, sustainable agriculture, plantation and fisheries development, community economic and cultural empowerment, institutional strengthening, capacity building, and documentation of best practices.
Syarwani noted that the initiative aligns with Bulungan’s Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD), which places sustainability at the core of development. He highlighted existing ecological fiscal transfer programs, including 10% of village funds and specific allocations under the regional budget through the “Bulungan Hijau” (Green Bulungan) program.
“One of the pilot villages secured around Rp400 million from the budget last year. This year we’ve allocated Rp7 billion for Bulungan Hijau, rising to Rp8 billion next year,” he said in a statement issued on Saturday (22/11/2025).
IPB University to Deliver Village-Scale Innovations
Hermanu Triwidodo, Head of the Tani and Fisherfolk Center at IPB University, welcomed the collaboration and expressed hope that innovation and technology tailored to village needs could be deployed effectively.
YKAN to Continue Support Through SIGAP and Kayan Landscape IAD
YKAN’s Terrestrial Program Director Ruslandi explained that the organization has supported Bulungan since 2022 through SIGAP (Aksi Inspiratif Warga untuk Perubahan). Bulungan, known for its well-preserved forests, has focused its efforts on forest protection alongside community welfare improvements.
In 2023, the Integrated Area Development (IAD) Kayan Landscape was established as the ninth such social forestry-based integrated development zone in Indonesia.
“To support community management of the Kayan Landscape IAD, we cannot work alone. We need strategic partners like IPB University to enhance our support,” Ruslandi said.
The MoU and cooperation agreement will be effective for five years, marking a shared commitment to advancing green development and safeguarding sustainability for future generations. (T2)
