By Masayu Yulien Vinanda

Jakarta (13/09)-WWF-Indonesia NEWtrees reforestation program once again received support from the business world. This time PT Hino Motors Sales Indonesia (HMSI) and PT Hino Motors Manufacturing Indonesia (HMMI) donated 6000 trees that will be planted in an area of 15 hectares in Sebangau National Park, Central Kalimantan.

Marking the collaboration, tree seedlings were symbolically handed over by HMSI President Director Toshiro Mizutani and HMMI President Director Akihito Yamanaka to WWF-Indonesia Executive Director, Dr. Efransjah. PT Hino Motors Manufacturing Indonesia (HMMI) Director Mrs. J. Ralhan and WWF-Indonesia Marketing Director Devy Suradji were also present to witness the signing of the partnership between Hino Indonesia and NEWtrees.

In his speech, Dr. Efransjah said that Sebangau National Park was chosen as the planting site for NEWtrees and Hino because of its unique characteristics, namely peat swamp forests that are prone to forest fires during the dry season and rising temperatures. He also added that peat areas have a significant role in mitigating climate change given their higher carbon content compared to biomass obtained from other forests.

"This 570,000 ha area is also the largest orangutan habitat in the world, field research has detected around 6000-9000 individuals. In addition to replanting, we also conducted canal blocking to restore the hydrological function of the area. Activities related to improving community welfare and developing alternative income are also a priority of WWF's work in the conservation area," he added.

Meanwhile, HMSI President Director Toshiro Mizutani said that the NEWtrees program initiated by WWF-Indonesia is able to provide opportunities for Hino to finance reforestation in protected areas, corridors between protected areas, buffer zones around protected areas. "Hino believes that by providing high quality products and aftersales services to satisfy customers, we can make a good contribution to the environment," he said.

Through geotagging technology that can be accessed through Google Earth or Yahoomap, tree monitoring mechanism can be done easily and effectively. Monitoring of tree vegetation growth can be done in real time, anytime through cellular phones that have GPS facilities and internet connections. .

Since the launch of the NEWtrees program in 2007 until now, an area of 370 hectares in Sebangau National Park has been planted. Garuda Indonesia, Nokia, Equinox Publishing, Siemens Indonesia, PT Surya Palace Jaya, and Body Shop are among other businesses committed to reforesting the conservation area.

The success of the NEWtrees program is expected to serve as a catalyst for other private parties to contribute directly to reforestation efforts.