Project Areas
The HIRAI program is active in several priority landscapes across Central Kalimantan, where forest and peatland restoration is urgently needed and where communities play a central role in conservation. By working directly with local people, we ensure that restoration efforts also bring sustainable economic benefits.
Since 2021, Himba Raya Indonesia Foundation has been working in Hutan KHDTK Tumbang Nusa, a critical peatland research forest that faces constant threats from wildfires and degradation. Our activities here include peatland restoration through tree planting and canal blocking, community-based firefighting initiatives, and biodiversity protection. By strengthening local participation, this project area has become a cornerstone of our efforts to safeguard one of the world’s most important carbon stores while protecting surrounding communities from the risks of haze and fire.
In Simpur Village, our work began in January 2025 and will continue until June 2025 as a pilot program. This project emphasizes sustainable agriculture and agroforestry, helping local farmers adopt practices that restore soil health and reduce pressure on nearby forests. We also encourage the use of non-timber forest products such as honey to diversify household incomes. Alongside livelihood development, the project builds community awareness on ecosystem protection and fire prevention, laying the foundation for longer-term collaboration in the village.
Starting in 2025, HIRAI also established a partnership with KTH Kahui (Kelompok Tani Hutan / Forest Farmers Group). This collaboration focuses on community forestry as a pathway to both restoration and livelihood improvement. By providing training, tools, and access to sustainable markets, we help forest farmers restore degraded areas while ensuring they can earn a living from environmentally friendly practices. This partnership strengthens local ownership and highlights how community-led initiatives can contribute to long-term conservation.
Together, these three project areas — Hutan KHDTK Tumbang Nusa, Simpur Village, and KTH Kahui — demonstrate HIRAI’s integrated approach of combining restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and community empowerment. Each landscape tells a story of resilience, where people and nature work together to shape a more sustainable future for Central Kalimantan.