As a production forest company committed to the principle of sustainability, PT Wana Bakti Persada Utama (WBPU) realizes that forest management practices must continue to be updated and adapted to technological developments and regulations that are more environmentally friendly. One of the significant steps that PT WBPU took was to conduct research regarding the effectiveness of the Reduced Impact Logging - Carbon (RIL-C) method which has been implemented in the company's concession area. To support this research, PT WBPU has established strategic collaboration with the Nusantara Nature Conservation Foundation (YKAN) and Gadjah Mada University (UGM), especially the UGM Faculty of Forestry, which has competence in scientific research and environmental conservation. This collaboration was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between PT WBPU, YKAN and UGM, on September 12 2024.
This research aims to compare two logging methods, namely the RIL-C method and the conventional method that has been used so far. As a company, PT WBPU is very interested in understanding how these two methods affect three main aspects, namely, operational financing, productivity levels and environmental friendliness. Through scientific studies involving experts from the UGM Faculty of Forestry and conservation institutions such as YKAN, the company hopes to obtain comprehensive data about the advantages and challenges of each method.
In terms of financing, this research will help PT WBPU assess operational costs when implementing the RIL-C method compared to conventional methods. Although initially there was an opinion that the RIL-C method required a larger initial investment, PT WBPU still wanted to know whether in the long term these costs could be reduced through higher efficiency or reduced costs for restoring ecosystem damage. It is hoped that the analysis from UGM and YKAN will provide a clearer picture regarding the potential savings that can be obtained using the RIL-C method.
Apart from that, in terms of productivity, PT WBPU wants to understand whether the application of RIL-C affects wood production results compared to conventional methods. This assessment is important for production forest companies which must maintain a balance between productivity and environmental responsibility. With accurate data, PT WBPU can assess whether the RIL-C method is able to maintain or even increase productivity without sacrificing environmental aspects.
What is no less important, this research is also to measure the environmental friendliness value of each method. The RIL-C method is claimed to be able to reduce damage to forest ecosystems and reduce carbon emissions. Collaborating with conservation institutions such as YKAN which has extensive experience in environmental monitoring, the company hopes to validate these claims and understand further how the application of the RIL-C method impacts biodiversity, soil quality and carbon storage capabilities in PT WBPU's concession areas.
For PT WBPU, collaboration with UGM and YKAN is key to ensuring that the results of this research are objective and credible. With the resulting data, PT WBPU as a production forest company can make better decisions regarding future forest management strategies. Ultimately, it is hoped that the application of the RIL-C method will not only support the company's commitment to business sustainability and environmental sustainability, but also increase operational efficiency and create added value for all stakeholders.
