Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) and Sinarmas Forestry’s (SMF) proposed Biosphere Reserve (GSK-BB) in Riau, Indonesia, has received official approval by the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere project.
The 178,000 hectare GSK-BB reserve – which APP says is the first ever initiated by a private company – was one of 22 proposed biosphere locations in 17 countries to receive approval.Endang Sukara, chief of the National Committee of the Man and Biosphere Program for Indonesia says, “This is the first time in Indonesia, or globally, that a private company has proposed the creation of a Biosphere Reserve.”
He continues, “We are hoping that the initiative will be sustained and become a role model for other companies, and encourage them to become more involved in biodiversity conservation.”
According to the UNESCO MAB website the GSK-BB includes a peatland area in Sumatra featuring sustainable timber production and two wildlife reserves.
APP says the decision marks the culmination of five years work since APP and SMF first initiated the process which has led to the creation of the biosphere reserve.
