"I am a community that lives on the edge of the forest, because of economic limitations I saw that there was great potential in the forest area. Finally I joined the hunting activity. For years I hunted deer, birds, then I sold them. I took anything from the forest as long as it could be turned into money. I used to do that with pride because I felt that what nature provided, I could benefit from. Until people around me called me a forest mafia," said Wastoyo, a resident who lives in the Ulubelu forest area, Lampung.
Wastoyo's story is one of the success stories of the ELOC Bestari program at Pertamina Geothermal Energy Area Ulubelu. Wastoyo's journey from a former forest hunter, now turning into an environmental conservationist and leader of the Margo Rukun Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS) in the Ulubelu Area is worthy of inspiration.
Wastoyo initially depended on illegal hunting practices to meet his economic needs. The turning point for Wastoyo occurred when he attended a conservation socialization by WWF Indonesia. "Don't cause damage to the face of this earth." became a very meaningful message for Wastoyo. This message made him aware of the negative impacts of the activities he had been doing. Since hearing this meaningful message, Wastoyo began to change, from someone who hunted in the forest to someone who cared about forest conservation.
Wastoyo's journey as a forest conservationist began with small efforts. He tried to carry out conservation activities at his own expense. For more than four years he spent his income from coffee farming to create seedlings and plant coffee. Wastoyo also invited local youth to participate in conservation. Initially, Wastoyo's struggle went well, but over time, Wastoyo began to be abandoned.
"Residents felt that the activities I did did not make money. Until there was a ban on participating in my activities from parents. That's when I started to give up," complained Wastoyo.
Until one day, Wastoyo carried out forest monitoring activities with friends from ERMi (Emergency Response Group Millenials) under the guidance of PGE Area Ulubelu. From this forest monitoring activity, Wastoyo became acquainted with PGE.
Wastoyo's efforts to carry out forest conservation alone have begun to receive attention from PGE Area Ulubelu. Strategic support from PGE was given by forming KUPS (Social Forestry Business Group) Margo Rukun as a legal forum for conservation activities and environmental-based businesses run by Wastoyo and his community.
In its implementation, PGE Area Ulubelu provides assistance and support to KUPS Margo Rukun to continue to innovate. Innovative products such as composting, plant nurseries, and honey bee cultivation have also been created from this activity. Until now, KUPS Margo Rukun has succeeded in achieving a turnover of around IDR 2.2 billion per year, with the largest contribution coming from the plant nursery business. Their products have been trusted by various multinational companies in carrying out land rehabilitation programs in Lampung and adopting the concept of bee cultivation.
Wastoyo expressed his gratitude to PGE for being the main partner in this transformation journey.
"PGE is not only a partner, but is like family to us. Whenever there are obstacles, PGE is always ready to provide support," he said.
In addition to supporting community empowerment, PGE also continues to maintain high sustainability standards, as reflected in the consecutive PROPER Gold awards.
PGE Ulubelu General Manager Hadi Suranto said the main strategy in maintaining PROPER Gold is collaboration and active involvement with the community.
"We continue to innovate and work with the community to develop sustainable solutions, including utilizing geothermal energy for various purposes," he explained.
The success of the community empowerment program and sustainability initiatives run by PGE is clear evidence that geothermal energy not only brings benefits to national energy security, but also contributes to social welfare and environmental preservation. KUPS Margo Rukun is included in the ELOC BESTARI program run in the Ulubelu operating area, Lampung Province.
ELOC BESTARI is a forest rehabilitation effort that involves local communities in sustainable social forestry management. The ELOC Bestari program successfully led PGE Area Ulubelu to win PROPER Gold for the 3rd time. Through the ELOC BESTARI (Empowering Local Communities-based Environmental Stewardship Through Social Forestry) program, communities are expected to reduce economic dependence on activities that risk damaging the environment, such as forest encroachment. Increasing the community's economy is driven through the cultivation of forest resources such as coffee, honey and organic fertilizer. This program focuses on diversifying income sources.
