Fostering Conservation in a Sumatran Forest

As I trekked through the lush primal forest of Aceh together with a patrol team from the Jambo Papeun village, I was struck by the vibrant biodiversity surrounding me. The calls of the orangutan echoed through the valley, while traces of the elusive sun bear marked our path. This adventure was not just a personal exploration; I was in the field reviewing one of the forest protection and conservation projects sponsored by the Rimba Collective, of which P&G is a Founding Partner.

This project, led by BITRA Indonesia, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that’s dedicated to rural communities, encompasses more than 13,000 hectares of diverse ecosystems. These ecosystems serve as a wildlife corridor for species that are critically endangered due to deforestation, illegal logging and human-wildlife conflict. Key components of the conservation initiative include biodiversity monitoring and support for sustainable livelihoods, ensuring that the community thrives while safeguarding their natural environment.

Our visit to the Jambo Papeun Village Forest, a crucial buffer for Gunung Leuser National Park, highlighted to me the importance of using agroforestry as a protective shield for the primal forest while providing economic benefits to the local community. This is a perfect illustration of the power of “AND”: conservation efforts to protect the forest, its vegetation and endangered species like the Sumatran tiger go together with uplifting local livelihoods.

Without this combination, the long-term viability of the project would be questionable. While the community is genuinely invested in protecting their forest, as they understand that their future is intertwined with the health of their environment, they do also need to earn a living from it.

It was heartening to experience the hospitality and recognition from the villagers and to witness their determination and ingenuity, whether they were leaving their homes to patrol the rugged terrain of the primal forest for 15 consecutive days, cultivating sustainable crops like patchouli and nutmeg on steep hillsides — like Azwir, the local Patchouli Farmer pictured above, at left, with me — or sharing their plans to improve their patchouli oil distillation capacity and quality.

The focus of the project in their district aligns with the broader biodiversity objectives of the Rimba Collective, as well as with P&G Chemicals’ commitment to responsibly sourcing raw materials, creating bio-based, low carbon solutions that enable our customers to reduce their footprint, and driving positive impacts through partnerships and programs.

My journey through the primal forest project area reinforced my pride in P&G’s engagement with Rimba Collective, showcasing how our investments can create lasting positive effects for both people and the planet in areas directly linked to our supply chains. Together with other Rimba Collective partners, we are not only helping preserve precious ecosystems; we are fostering a sustainable future for the local communities, proving that conservation and development can thrive side by side.