By: Siti Maryam

The Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center started restoration in the Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Sanctuary on December 3, 2016. This activity was marked by the handover of oil palm plantations of Petai Village residents, Singingi Hilir-Kuantan Singingi District to be planted with forest plants. The removal of the oil palm was carried out by H. Badurahmin, the owner of the oil palm plantation, accompanied by the Head of Region I BBKSDA Riau, Munarto, witnessed by the sub-district government officials.

The existence of a wildlife reserve area that is rich in biodiversity has begun to be disturbed by land clearing from the community to plant oil palm. Several socialization activities and prevention of encroachment have been carried out by officers from BBKSDA Riau. WWF routinely together with BBKSDA Riau has also conducted area monitoring activities. From this series of processes and through his own awareness, H. Badurahmin returned 5 hectares of his oil palm plantation that had already entered the SM. Rimbang Baling.

In his statement before the procession of removing the oil palm and planting forest vegetation, H. Badu said, "As an old man, I am not smart, not bagak (brave) to plant a garden here but I fortify it with myself so that people do not enter outside there to manage this Rimbang Baling."

"I am very grateful to the BKSDA and WWF, if there was no countermeasure, Bukit Rimbang and Bukit Baling would have been destroyed by people with a lot of money in Indonesia. If there is no boundary demarcation in 83, we are already poor, there is no forest anymore, "said H. Badu.

Meanwhile, Head of Region I BBKSDA Riau, Munarto said, "After the restoration activities in this area, it is hoped that it can become an example for the community so that those who have already cleared land in this area can voluntarily hand it back."

Appreciation came from the Singingi Hilir sub-district government as expressed by Delta, the sub-district secretary. ''Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling is the icon of Singingi Hilir Sub-district, this is the only forest in this area so we really appreciate this activity because it is beneficial for both the community and the younger generation."

At least 300 pulai seedlings were planted in the almost 1 ha area. In this planting, 20 students from SMKN Singingi Hilir participated. H. Badu will continue the reforestation of the garden, which has already been included in the conservation area.

The day before (03/12), environmental education was held, attended by students from SMKN 1 Singingi Hilir. On this occasion, the students were required to make a drama performance with the theme 'When Puspa and Satwa Berbicara'.

This environmental education aims to teach students to understand the importance of protecting forest areas and the ecosystems within them.

''We appreciate WWF and BBKSDA Riau for protecting the forest in this village. We hope that similar activities can continue and hopefully we can become a generation that can preserve the forest in BRBB. So that one day we can benefit from it both for learning and tourism." Said Rahmat Fitra Jaya, a student from SMKN 1 Singingi Hilir.