Forest and Habitat Restoration

NUSA PENIDA

The Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF) has actively pursued the reforestation of the island of Nusa Penida since 2005. Together with the local community FNPF has planted about 35,000 seedlings as at December 2007 at several sites in Nusa Penida with farmer’s groups, village elders’ temple board members, schools, government institutions and other groups such as a conservation club all providing assistance.

Puncak Temu Hill

FNPF has received approval to reforest a further 100 Ha of government land at Puncak Temu Hill (pictured) on the island of Nusa Penida. This project will be of approximately five years duration, depending on land and funding considerations

The Nusa Penida Bird Sanctuary project has proven to be very successful and receives a lot support from the local community in the area. The key to this success is that FNPF always works in a holistic way and tries as much as possible to involve the local community in any of the FNPF conservation projects. One support program that has involved many people from the local community is the reforestation being carried out on private land, temple land and also government land on Nusa Penida, thereby giving us confidence that this reforestation project will be successful. FNPF currently operates a plant nursery unit that can produce 50.000 seedlings and a bamboo nursery that can produce about 6.000 seedlings.

The specific objectives of the project are:

To increase the percentage of the forest
To increase soil fertility and improve crop yields
To produce alternative income streams
To assist in the electrification of local villages;
To increase the carrying capacity of the island for bird release programs
To make an example of reforestation work on a large scale in Nusa Penida because no project like this has ever been undertaken on this island
To provide field work for our conservation education program or other parties who have the same interest in conservation work.

There are two aspects to the project. On public or temple land there will be general reforestation for which we have chosen seedlings based on the following considerations:

As many types as possible should be native species
Species that can survive in extreme conditions
Species that can give benefit to wildlife, especially birds
Species that have a connection with local traditions.

Some of these species will act as pioneer trees to enable a better chance of success for any species that we will plant in a second round of reforestation work in the future. These seedlings will be planted on public land by FNPF. On private land there will be a sustainable agro-forestry project for which we are going to plant:

Sandalwood (Santalum albom), used for sacred items; statues; medicine; perfumes
White Teak (Gmelina sp); timber is used for furniture and the leaves for cow fodder
Mahogani (Switenia macrophylla). used for furniture

These choices are based on those trees most wanted by the local community and those that will give both environment and financial benefit to the local and wildlife. The choice may differ on occasions, depending on the community’s response and the availability of seedlings, which will be provided for local communities to plant.