Making knowledge work for forests and people
Bridging the gaps between knowledge and practices on forested landscape governance
More informationAs a natural solution to mitigate climate change, peatlands play a crucial role as carbon sinks and water cycle regulators, reducing flooding during the rainy season and maintaining water availability during the dry season. Humid peat slows the spread of fires, especially during the dry season. The peat ecosystem is home to unique flora and fauna, while it also provides valuable resources for local communities, such as food and non-timber forest products.
Yoni, Dindin, Ari, and Nando – young women and men from Kamora Village – appeared enthusiastic as they observed a golden-yellow liquid slowly flowing from a manual press. This was a glimpse of a training session on processing illipe butter and kepayang oil held in mid-February 2026. In addition to Kamora Village, the training was also conducted in Mekar Raya Village; both are located in Simpang Dua Subdistrict, Ketapang District, West Kalimantan. Around 20 participants attended the training, all showing similar enthusiasm. It is no surprise, as for years the younger generation – even those in their 50s in both villages – had only heard of illipe butter, which, during their grandparents’ time, was commonly used as cooking oil in daily life. At that time, palm oil, now widely available in local shops and stalls, had not yet been introduced. The knowledge of processing illipe butter, which had once been lost, is now being practiced again. This enthusiasm continued until the end of the activity, when participants shared the oil they had produced during the training to take home. Within the next 2–3 days, the oil will solidify into butter.
The Provincial Government of West Kalimantan has strengthened its commitment to sustainable land governance by officially adopting the Indicative Map of High Conservation Value Areas (HCVA) covering the indication HCVA of 4.36 million hectares. The adoption builds on Provincial Regulation (Perda) No. 6/2018 on Sustainable Land-Based Business Management, which requires permit holders to allocate at least 7 percent of their concession areas for conservation.
Support the achievement of a productive and sustainable landscape through governance programs that include strategies to improve food security, responsible use of forest and land, and mitigation and adaption to climate change