Perkebunan Nusantara I (PTPN1) – Blang Tualang – popup

Rainforest Action Network (RAN) published an article titled, “Elephant Corridor Has Been Cleared by Indonesian State Company Despite Moratorium on Palm Oil by President” which highlighted PT Perkebunan Nusantara I (PTPN I) to have continued clearing forests within an important corridor for the endangered Sumatran elephant inside the Leuser Ecosystem a month after President Jokowi announced a three-year moratorium on the issuance of new plantation licenses.

RAN’s Leuser Watch article titled, “Forest Loss Rises Sharply in Critical Leuser Ecosystem Lowlands” highlighted forest loss that has occurred within PTPN I Blang Tualang estate, with a total of 24 hectares cleared between January – April 2019.

RAN published another Leuser Watch article, “Investigation underway into forest loss for palm oil in Leuser Ecosystem”. The third article mentioned that PTPN I responded to RAN’s publication with commitment to maintain forest area in Leuser Ecosystem. The report showed satellite imagery for the period of 2017 to June 2019 that showed the location and timing of forest clearance and the development of a new road into a forested area.

Regarding the issue on alleged deforestation in January to October 2018 that continued to January until April 2019, PTPN I explained that the activities carried out at that time were only replanting at several locations within the PTPN I land use right (HGU) and were not deforestation. PTPN I shared the planting map of PT Tualang Sawit (Blang Tualang) estate.

Some areas within the “Reserve Area” covering 249 hectares which can be replanted, are planned for replanting between 2020 – 2023.

RAN published another Leuser Watch article, “Amidst COVID-19 lockdown deforestation for palm oil climbs”. The fourth report highlighted PTPN I as having failed to adopt a “No Deforestation, No Peatland and No Exploitation” policy to align with the expectations of global consumers, and the published policies of major brands and palm oil traders, and as having continued opening roads and land clearing of potential High Conservation Value (HCV) areas and High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests in the Leuser Ecosystem.

The outcome of the discussion as follows:

1. The last replanting activity of PTPN I was in 2019 and outside the forest area. PTPN I did not carry out land clearing and replanting activities in 2020. The land clearing activities that occurred within the PTPN I land use right (HGU) in 2020 as alleged in the NGO report were encroachment by the community. PTPN I committed not to do replanting and new planting until there is results of spatial/ renewal analysis from the relevant authorities. In addition, PTPN I also informed that they will conduct an HCV and HCS assessment involving competent institutions.
2. The issue raised by RAN in the Leuser Watch dated 24 June 2020 titled “Amidst COVID-19 lockdown deforestation for palm oil climbs” stating PTPN I failed to implement the NDPE policy, PTPN I said that PTPN I already have Sustainable Palm Oil Policy and willing to share with stakeholders

Musim Mas will continue communication with PTPN I and will monitor their progress.

The land clearing within the HGU was a result of community encroachment. PTPN I, together with Aceh Timur and the Langsa government have made efforts to continuously engage and persuade the community member to address the issue.

PTPN I has not received the results of the spatial/ renewal analysis from the authorized party and is following up with them on the result of the analysis.

PTPN I is still waiting for the results of the spatial/renewal analysis.

PTPN I is in the process of selecting a consultant to do Integrated Assessment of High Conservation Value (HCV)/High Carbon Stock (HCS).

Verification was carried out on-site (field verification) by reviewing the implementation of the action plan from PTPN I. The results of the verification are as follows:

1. NDPE commitment
Sustainable Palm Policy of PTPN I has been published on their official website www.ptpn1.co.id/policy-sawit-lestari
The policy has also been socialized to the management component, staff, and employees.

2. Integrated HCV/HCS assessment
PTPN I is currently still reviewing the offer from the consultant.

3. Encroachment by the community
On 20 April 2021, PTPN I held a meeting with 4 cultivators and carried out socialization to convey that the area belongs to PTPN I according to the company’s HGU. The notification not to continue planting banana trees and other plants in the HGU area is written in a stamped statement letter.

As a precaution, PTPN I has put up a sign announcing this land belongs to PTPN I.

4. Spatial/ Renewal Analysis
At the time of verification, PTPN I still had not received the results/response from the Forest Area Consolidation Centre (Balai Pemantapan Kawasan Hutan – BPKH).

PTPN I also have received the result from the Forest Area Consolidation Centre (Balai Pemantapan Kawasan Hutan – BPKH). Based on the document, it recognizes that some of the areas within the Tualang Sawit (Blang Tualang) estate still overlap with Forest Area. This area will be processed further.

For Tualang Sawit (Blang Tualang) estate area which overlaps with the forest area, the Company is preparing the required documentation to be submitted to the government as part of the process to exclude the area from forest zonation.