Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER) is one of the largest privately-funded ecosystem restoration programmes in Indonesia. Established in 2013 by APRIL, the RER landscape comprises five concessions operating under 60-year ecosystem restoration licenses granted by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Located on Sumatra’s eastern coastline, Restorasi Ekosistem Riau consists of 150,693 ha including 130,095 ha at the heart of the 344,573 ha forest block on the Kampar Peninsula, and another 20,599 ha at Padang Island.
Our Landscape
1
A New Beginning
Established in 2013 Restorasi Ekosistem Riau is one of the largest privately-funded ecosystem restoration projects in Indonesia. The programme protects, assesses, restores and then manages the biodiversity on the largest remaining area of Sundaic lowland peatland rainforest in Indonesia. Prior to 2013, the forest was progressively degraded through years of selective logging, encroachment and fire.
2
A License to Protect & Restore
Made possible by five 60-year ecosystem restoration licences granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and a US$100m initial investment from APRIL Group.
29 Forest Protection Team Members
Conduct regular air, land and water patrols to monitor possible threats.
60 Forest Rangers
Patrol and protect the restoration area
3
Rich in Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services
The peat forest stores massive amounts of carbon and is the source of millions of litres of fresh water that supports non-forest resource activity for downstream local communities.
689 megatonnes of carbon stock
was documented on 70% of RER’s area.
98%
of the forest’s carbon stock is stored below ground in peat soil.
4
Led by a Landscape Approach
Restorasi Ekosistem Riau balances conservation, natural resource utilisation and community well-being through collaboration, sustainable agriculture, forestry production and the conservation of natural capital. The programme contributes to an integrated production-protection model which recognises that peatland cannot be protected and conserved in isolation.
5
A Fire Free Community
Restorasi Ekosistem Riau encourages new forms of livelihood generation to support the 17,000-strong Kampar Peninsula community, including horticulture, farming, fishing and honey collection. APRIL’s Fire Free Village Programme worked to ensure that Restorasi Ekosistem Riau was untouched by fire during the 2015, 2016 and 2017 dry seasons.
