East Kalimantan Government and YKAN Collaborate for Sustainable Forest and Ocean Management

The Provincial Government of East Kalimantan signed a memorandum of understanding with Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) on Sustainable Natural Resource Management on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Ruhui Rahayu Room, East Kalimantan Governor's Office, Samarinda. This agreement will be in effect from 2025 to 2030.

“We appreciate YKAN's long-standing support for sustainable natural resource management efforts in East Kalimantan,” said East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud in his address. The continuity of this cooperation is essential to strengthen the collaboration that has been going well so far. “We hope this partnership can be enhanced to support the vision of ‘Kaltim Sukses Menuju Generasi Emas’ and our mission to achieve environmentally friendly and sustainable development,” added Governor Rudy Mas’ud.

This agreement is a renewal of similar cooperation within a five-year framework. From 2020 to 2025, the collaboration covered various areas: Green Development; Low-Emission and Sustainable Palm Oil Plantation Development; Protected Area, Essential Ecosystem, and Marine Conservation Area Management; Coastal and Small Islands Management; Improvement of Community Welfare Dependent on Natural Resources; Institutional and Human Resource Capacity Building; and Support for the Implementation of the Berau Forest Carbon Program.

YKAN operates in East Kalimantan through two main programs that support the conservation and sustainable management of forest and marine ecosystems. East Kalimantan’s forests, spanning 13 million hectares, are home to at least 1,500 species of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic to the region. These forests provide livelihoods, knowledge, and environmental balance.

East Kalimantan’s marine area, particularly in Berau Regency, has been designated as the Coastal and Small Islands Conservation Area of the Derawan Archipelago and Surrounding Waters (KKP3K-KDPS) since 2016. This area is one of the world’s richest marine biodiversity areas and part of the renowned coral triangle. The total area of KKP3K-KDPS is 285,548.95 hectares, a migration route for key marine species and a high-value fishery region. This area encompasses 17,704 hectares of mangrove forests and 1,808 hectares of seagrass beds, harboring at least 397 species. Among these, 162 are classified as High Conservation Value, including birds, mammals, corals, and endangered fish.

“The rich biodiversity potential in East Kalimantan, both on land and at sea, must be supported by sustainable management to ensure its benefits are felt and passed on,” said YKAN Executive Director Herlina Hartanto. She emphasized that efforts to sustainably protect and manage East Kalimantan's natural wealth are strengthened by the commitment and support of various stakeholders, including policymakers, awareness officers, and field workers who collaborate effectively.

Achievements and Sustainability

Over the past five years, numerous achievements have been made under this agreement. One of the initiatives is the support for East Kalimantan through the Green Growth Compact (GGC) and 13 model initiatives. These initiatives demonstrate the local government’s commitment to accelerating emission reduction targets across various sectors, including wetland protection and peatland ecosystem management. 

Social forestry has also developed well, with increased capacity for managing institutions, expanded target areas, and the first Integrated Area Development (IAD) in East Kalimantan. YKAN collaborates with the East Kalimantan Forestry Service and the Social Forestry Acceleration Working Group to expand social forestry by 63,000 hectares and develop the IAD master plan in Berau Regency.

In the plantation sector, YKAN has played a crucial role in developing a roadmap for designating High Conservation Value (HCV) areas in East Kalimantan. Developing skincare products derived from orangutan food plants in Wehea Protected Forest in collaboration with Mulawarman University. YKAN also supports efforts to propose the Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat karst region as a Geopark, including managing geosites, capacity building, and increasing public awareness.

In ocean conservation, YKAN has supported sustainable management efforts in KKP3K-KDPS since its inception, assisting in the establishment of Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) for its governance. To ensure sustainable funding, UPTD is transitioning to a Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD) system.  YKAN also promotes integrated coastal management and sustainable aquaculture through the Shrimp-Carbon Aquaculture (SECURE) method in Berau. Additionally, they strengthen community economic groups, promote eco-tourism, support fisheries, and empower women’s groups.

The East Kalimantan Government has also opened opportunities to improve rural development governance. YKAN supports community mentoring through the SIGAP Village Academy, as well as eco-friendly and sustainable micro, small, and medium enterprises.

The positive outcomes from this partnership reaffirm the importance of sustainably managing East Kalimantan’s natural resources. “As a development partner, we are committed to continuing our support for the East Kalimantan Government, ensuring the region’s natural resources remain sustainable and beneficial to its people,” concluded Herlina.