press release Takuana bridge empowers Minas Tahura conservation

Siak, August 27, 2020 – With the installation of the new Takuana Bridge, the observation patrol at Sultan Syarif Hasyim Forest Park, or Taman Hutan Raya Sultan Syarif Hasyim (Tahura SSH), will be more effective. Inaugurated by Riau Governor H. Syamsuar, M.Si, on Thursday, August 27, the new bridge connects Tahura SSH and the Limited Production Forest, or Hutan Produksi Terbatas (HPT). The two locations are in the Production Forest Management Unit Tahura Minas Model conservation area, or Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan Produksi (KPHP) Model Tahura Minas.

Takuana Bridge will ease operations for officers of the Forest Management Unit in forest fire and illegal deforestation prevention and animal protection. KPHP Model Tahura Minas manages Tahura SSH, which is known for its large variety of flora and fauna and remotely located elephant training center.

Takuana Bridge is 14 meters (46 ft) long and 4 meters (13 ft) wide. The construction of the concrete bridge was aided by SKK Migas and PT. Chevron Pacific Indonesia (PT CPI). PT CPI also built three gates to help improve park security. For the two projects combined, the aid totalled 1.9 billion Rupiah.

“The bridge and gates will be useful in preserving Tahura SSH environment,” said Sukamto Tamrin, GM Corporate Affairs Asset PT CPI. “Human and environmental protection is one of our company’s highest values.”

The handover ceremony of the bridge and gates was attended by Mamun Murod, head of Riau’s Environment and Forestry Service (DLHK); Agus Lukman, head of Riau’s Energy and Mineral Resources Service (ESDM); Suharyono, head of Riau’s Nature Conservation Agency (KSDA); and Haryanto Syafri, Head of Sumbagut SKK Migas, ad interim.

“Having this bridge will greatly support the Tahura management, because it can empower the monitoring and security of this protected forest area,” said Riau Governor, Syamsuar, in his greetings. He also expressed his hope that Tahura will become a place for local community research, tourism and education.

Haryanto from SKK Migas said that the upstream oil and gas sector together with PT CPI are pleased to have the opportunity to take part in forest fire prevention and have been preparing facilities for easier transportation access that will increase the security in Tahura SSH.

“SKK Migas and PT CPI are very grateful for the guidance, smooth process and acquisition of an IPPKH recommendation from Riau’s Governor and we are committed to fulfill our IPPKH obligation,” said Haryanto. IPPKH refers to Izin Pinjam Pakai Kawasan Hutan or the permit to use/lend the forest area.

The environmental field is one of the focus areas in PT CPI’s social investment program. Some environmental programs conducted this year are mangrove conservation in Riau (Dumai and Bengkalis) and Jakarta Bay partnering with The Nature Conservancy (TNC); elephant conservation in Riau; peat land restoration; and waste bank projects in Bengkalis and Siak regencies and Pekanbaru in partnership with the Institute of Research and Community Service Lancang Kuning University (LPPM Unilak).