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Bumiterra: Restoring Borneo, Empowering Communities & Redefining Environmental Responsibility

February 2024 – Words by The Punch Editors – Photography by Bumiterra

Bumiterra is on a mission to unlock the potential of nature-based solutions by spearheading a reforestation revolution in the Borneo rainforest. Recognizing the underutilized power of reforestation, the organization partners with local communities and employs cutting-edge AI-powered remote sensing technologies to ensure the integrity of the project.

Moving beyond just carbon trading, Bumiterra's founders advocate for additional, verifiable, immediate, and lasting solutions that benefit not only climate and biodiversity but also prioritize social justice, equality, and poverty elimination. Their commitment to studying rainforest terrains in Borneo, consulting with global experts, and developing the Bumiterra Restoration Plan highlights their belief in reforesting the precious Borneo rainforest for the collective well-being of the planet, including climate, biodiversity, and human livelihood.

INTERVIEW

Meet Tara Santoro -
Co-Founder of Bumiterra

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE FOUNDING OF BUMITERRA?

"Bumiterra is on a mission to unlock the potential of nature-based solutions by spearheading a reforestation revolution in the Borneo rainforest. Recognizing the underutilized power of reforestation, the organization partners with local communities and employs cutting-edge AI-powered remote sensing technologies to ensure the integrity of the project."

BUMITERRA FOCUSES ON RESTORING ECOSYSTEMS IN BORNEO. WHAT SPECIFIC ECOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES ARE YOU ADDRESSING IN THIS REGION?

"Borneo's West Kalimantan is under significant economic and systemic pressure due to the exploitation of its natural resources for forest-conversion industries, leading to the deterioration of the ecosystem. Consequently, our environmental health is compromised, and local communities are grappling with challenges beyond their capacity, including unfair wages, systemic oppression, and other social and educational issues associated with resource exploitation."

HOW DOES BUMITERRA COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN ITS REFORESTATION PROJECTS, AND WHAT ROLES DO THEY PLAY IN THESE INITIATIVES?

"We simply give the power back to the people. By working together with local communities, we ‘rent’ their degraded land and employ them to reforest the area, starting from a minimum of 1 hectare. We call them Mitra, which means partner."

COULD YOU SHARE SOME EXAMPLES OF THE POSITIVE IMPACTS YOUR REFORESTATION EFFORTS HAVE HAD ON BOTH THE ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN BORNEO?

"We have recently launched our restoration plan in July, and despite being in the early stages, we have ambitious plans to reforest 25 hectares by the end of this year. With over 10,000 collected seedlings, we have already increased local incomes by a minimum of 20%.

Despite our short time frame, we are witnessing an overwhelmingly positive response from local communities. People are not just excited but hopeful about a better future. They are eager to collaborate with us because, in addition to offering improved income alternatives compared to the commodity industry, we share their commitment.

Looking ahead, we anticipate the rehabilitation of at least 20 plant species, along with the return of numerous fauna to these areas. This will contribute to cooler climates and a more robust economy. Consequently, more women will find employment, fewer men will engage in fields leading to slash-and-burn activities, and children will have the opportunity to attend school. Hopefully, they will learn and carry on the work that their parents initiated with us."

HOW DOES BUMITERRA'S SERVICE CONTRIBUTE TO A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION?

"Through our reforestation efforts, we are delving into nature-based carbon removal, moving beyond conventional carbon offsets."

HOW DOES BUMITERRA COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN ITS REFORESTATION PROJECTS, AND WHAT ROLES DO THEY PLAY IN THESE INITIATIVES?

"Through our reforestation efforts, we are delving into nature-based carbon removal, moving beyond conventional carbon offsets. To measure early-growth sequestration levels and explore further possibilities, we have partnered with Coolant Technologies, a Harvard-incubated and venture-backed MRV solutions company, to develop a unique carbon growth measurement system. While the technical details of this collaboration are a separate discussion, the key emphasis lies in viewing nature-based solutions beyond the carbon conversation and understanding the essential needs of nature.

For instance, the meticulous selection of seedlings, done in collaboration with locals and the international scientific community, aims to identify species that promote carbon sequestration, facilitate natural biodiversity regeneration, and prevent deforestation. Among the minimum of 20 plant species, we prioritize planting Durian, a high-value fruit that provides income for landowners, preventing unplanned deforestation by future generations. Durian trees also grow tall and offer leafy greens for shade, making them crucial carbon stockists. Above all, our mission is people-centric, revolving around the community of Desa Rumbih in West Kalimantan. The progress we've achieved so far would not have been possible without the involvement of the local people. This highlights the significance of community and individuals — no matter how small — as the key to climate change mitigation and environmental conservation."