Rekonvasi Bhumi, RUPES partner organization in Banten, has been awarded Indonesia’s highest environmental award or Kalpataru in recognition of its work to protect and preserve Cidanau swamp lake.

The Kalpataru was presented by the President of Indonesia in conjunction with World Environment Day, June 5. The Government of Indonesia has since 1980 awarded individuals and groups pioneering environmental protection and preservation actions.

The Director of Rekonvasi Bhumi, Rahadian, said the Kalpataru reflects government’s recognition to the efforts of all parties in Cidanau for the last 12 years in establishing the upstream downstream relationship through environmental service scheme.

In this scheme, farmers get payment for planting trees on their land to protect the upland catchment area surrounding the swamp lake, the main source of water for the downstream Cilegon industrial area and part of Serang town. A government-owned commercial water company, Krakatau Tirta Industri, pays Rp. 200 million each year to farmer groups participating in the scheme.

“It is also a recognition to the integrated management approach we have applied in the area,” said Rahadian referring to FKDC or Forum Komunikasi DAS Cidanau, a communication forum consisting of government and non-government entities to be an independent body with main task to lead activities to protect Cidanau watershed.

Dr Meine van Noordwijk, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Chief Science Advisor and former RUPES Program Coordinator said the Kalpataru is a positive recognition of the pioneering work of environmental service in Indonesia.

“Being recognized means an environmental service reward scheme is already on the map as one of the many ways to help protecting and preserving environment.”