PALMOILMAGAZINE, WEST KALIMANTAN – Efforts to protect forests while improving local welfare are taking shape in two Bumitama-assisted villages in West Kalimantan. Through ecotourism development, Simpang Tiga Sembelangaan Village and Nibung Village are demonstrating how conservation and local economic growth can progress hand in hand.
In Simpang Tiga Sembelangaan, the community manages the Batu Hitam Waterfall through the Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD). Since 2021, Bumitama has supported various aspects of its development—from management training and basic infrastructure improvements to planting fruit trees to enrich the tourism landscape.
Better road access, enhanced recreational spaces, and additional visitor facilities have significantly improved comfort for tourists. These upgrades have also opened new economic opportunities for residents.
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“Bumitama’s support has helped us improve facilities and organize the area more professionally,” said Sony Martinus, an LPHD member, in an official statement to beige-heron-208544.hostingersite.com on Saturday (15/11/2025). “We want Batu Hitam to be a source of pride for our village while ensuring the forest remains protected.”
Beyond being a leisure destination, Batu Hitam has also become a space for environmental education. The LPHD is currently exploring micro-hydro potential from the river flow to help meet future electricity needs—strengthening the forest’s role as a long-term community asset.
Nibung Lestari: From a Dark Past to a Conservation Movement
Not far away, Nibung Village is also shaping a conservation-driven future. Through the Nibung Lestari Social Forestry Enterprise Group (KUPS), residents have transformed a waterfall area in Sebuak Hamlet into an agrotourism destination. Launched in 2022, the initiative arose from a strong determination to prevent further encroachment into the village forest.
KUPS Chairwoman, Marsila, vividly recalls the devastating 2005 fire that destroyed much of the surrounding forest. “Since then, I promised not to let our forest be damaged again. But prohibiting people from entering wasn’t enough—we needed a way for the community to protect it with a sense of ownership,” she said.
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With support from Bumitama and IDH, the group built trekking paths, gazebos, ticketing booths, and rest areas. As a result, the site has rapidly grown and is now attracting visitors from various regions.
The impact is tangible. Between April 2024 and June 2025, revenue from ticket sales reached approximately IDR 95 million. The income has not only provided a new economic stream but is also used for social activities and site maintenance. “Now we see the forest as an opportunity. Tourism has made us more aware and proud to protect our environment,” Marsila added.
Looking ahead, Nibung residents aim to enrich the attraction by developing a pick-your-own fruit garden. The concept is expected to offer educational experiences while promoting local plant varieties. “We call it agrotourism because one day we want to have a garden that visitors can enjoy and learn from,” she said.
A Collaborative Model that Strengthens Conservation
The progress in Batu Hitam and Nibung Lestari illustrates how companies and communities can work together to protect forests while stimulating village economies. Bumitama positions local communities as the primary drivers of conservation, while the company acts as a partner by providing infrastructure, training, and ongoing technical support.
This approach aligns with Bumitama’s broader environmental and social responsibility commitments—to ensure forests are well managed, communities are empowered, and local economies grow sustainably.
From forests protected through collaboration, new hope continues to grow: thriving villages, preserved nature, and communities moving toward greater independence. (P2)
