Photo: Environmental warning signs are erected at various points inside the forest to boost public awareness of nature protection

BOVEN DIGOEL – PT Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) is supporting indigenous efforts to preserve local forests and wildlife in Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua. This commitment recently took the form of an educational outreach session and the installation of anti-poaching signs in poaching-prone areas within a customary forest belonging to the Irowop Kawab clan.

These initiatives were born out of community concerns about illegal hunting and its threat to forest sustainability. For indigenous settlements, this ecosystem holds ecological, social, cultural, and spiritual values, and is a treasure passed down through generations. Protection efforts are therefore crucial to maintaining the balance between forest species and safeguarding cultural principles ​​from being eroded by practices such as poaching and other illicit activities.

“We’re very grateful to the company for supporting our efforts to guard our forests and heritage,” said Edy Kawab on behalf of the clan in mid-July.

Indigenous participation is an important component of conservation work, said TSE’s Assistant Manager, Yohanes Sada Nanlohi. This is particularly considering the direct connection between these communities and their territories, of which the forest is a part.

“By collaborating with the Irowop Kawab clan on this sign installation project, we [aim to] demonstrate the synergy between companies and indigenous communities in ensuring environmental protection,” Yohanes added. “This initiative aligns with TSE Group’s efforts to work with customary land rights holders to carry out its social and environmental programs.”

Photo: TSE representatives team up with members of the local community to set up warning signs. These signs aim to encourage the preservation of forest areas

This is on top of actions taken by the company to implement sustainable plantation management. Through its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policy, TSE Group strives to protect local biodiversity and prevent the hunting of protected fauna — as well as those vital to the ecosystems in Papua, including the pig-nosed turtles and the birds-of-paradise.

The company also continues to strengthen its activities to maintain High Conservation Value (HCV) areas and run conservation programs through the Papua Conservation initiative.

With this recent event with the Irowop Kawab clan, TSE Group hopes to improve customary forest and biodiversity safeguards, while raising public awareness on poaching and protecting Papua’s natural wealth for future generations. (PR)

Photo: PT Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE)’s clinic doctor Wulan In Suci Mandasari gingerly checks on a Butiptiri child (7/5/2026)

SOUTH PAPUA – For the Butiptiris, a trip to the doctor normally begins with the whir of boat engines. But on Sunday, July 5, 2026, things were a little different — one could queue for a free check-up and treatment right in their hometown.

Courtesy of PT Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE), this mobile clinic is a blessing for locals, especially children and the elderly, said Butiptiri representative Magdalena Kenggi. No longer do they have to sail a long way to obtain health services.

Going to the nearest health center has always meant traveling along the Kao River and across the swamp forest Rawa Betik. This huge distance between the village and facility — coupled with harsh geographic conditions and lack of transportation — has led to delayed screenings and worsening symptoms.

TSE’s visit to the tiny settlement in Jair District, Boven Digoel Regency, is part of Corporate Social Contribution (CSC) initiatives aiming to address this issue. The event on Sunday (7/5/2026) included basic physical examination, consultation, and medicine provision based on the examination results. Not only that, patients got to learn about clean, healthy habits.

“Coughs and colds are most common among children, while body aches and high blood pressure, or hypertension, are more prevalent in adult and older patients,” said dr. Wulan In Suci Mandasari from the TSE clinic team.

To the mobile clinic guests, she suggested adopting a healthier lifestyle, which entails a balanced, nutritious diet, proper rest, maintaining personal and environmental hygiene, as well as routine health checks.

Photo: The clinic team strengthens their bond with the community during the screening and treatment

Through regular health outreach sessions, TSE strives to support health improvements and close the gap in medical access, especially for the rural, isolated areas of South Papua. This initiative demonstrates a commitment to enhancing quality of life across local communities.

“We hope this program will help people reach medical care more easily and practice daily healthy habits,” said Esau Abraham Irioma, a manager at TSE.

The clinic’s presence proves that healthcare has become closer to those it serves — no need for tedious journeys through swamps or rivers. (PR)

Photo: A PT Dongin Prabhawa (DP) representative and Tagaepe locals attach a protected area sign inside the village’s protected zone. This initiative demonstrates a shared commitment to preventing poaching and protecting native species. It’s also part of the company’s CSC programs focused on environmental preservation and sustainable development

SOUTH PAPUA – PT Dongin Prabhawa (DP) reiterated its commitment to practicing sustainable oil palm farming through a series of events held on Tuesday (6/27/2026) in Tagaepe Village, Merauke Regency.

Hundreds of people of all ages participated in the Corporate Social Contribution (CSC) initiative, which not only included free health services, but also an educational session on environmental preservation and wildlife protection — along with the installation of a warning sign to deter poaching.

Excitement was felt throughout the day, and the audience’s warm response reflected shared vision and efforts to build healthier, more prosperous lives.

“These events help us be more aware of environmental hygiene, riparian zone protection, and the importance of not hunting protected animals to ensure their longevity,” said Melianus Samkakai, the village secretary.

Forests are a valuable legacy and must be safeguarded by everyone, said DP’s ISPO Manager, Imam Purwono. Involving young people in this work would be best for ensuring the long-term survival of forests and natural ecosystems as a whole.

Photo: The company clinic also takes part in the outreach event at Tagaepe, where members provide free health screening and treatment

“Here, we do more than provide free healthcare. [Through our ISPO team], we help build environmental awareness by educating everyone about the need to preserve local protected species and the threats posed by illegal hunting and habitat destruction.”

DP’s CSC programs take into account economic, social, and environmental interests, enabling the company to address community needs and strengthen preservation efforts for future generations.

Such programs also demonstrate a dedication to expanding beyond business operations, with DP seeking to become a regional development partner in South Papua, making tangible contributions to community quality of life and environmental sustainability. (PR)

Photo: PT Papua Agro Lestari (PAL) holds an education session on wildfire mitigation and endemic species conservation at Rawa Kasat Village, Ulilin District

SOUTH PAPUA – PT Papua Agro Lestari (PAL), a subsidiary of Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group, introduced wildfire mitigation to Rawa Kasat Village in Ulilin District, Merauke Regency, South Papua, on Saturday (6/27/2026).

This initiative is part of efforts to raise greater awareness of proactive forest and ground fire control, which is increasingly crucial ahead of El Niño, a phenomenon bringing drier weather and increased risks of fires.

During the session, locals learned the steps to prevention, which include identifying influencing factors, understanding the importance of protecting forest areas from fire-inducing activities, and knowing how to report fire spots found in surrounding areas.

“Our mission is to enlighten everyone, [particularly] about the dangers of wildfires since we may be dealing with El Niño for a long time,” said Hassabudin Pattiroy, a manager at PAL.

Aside from mitigation, the company talked about preserving the lives of endemic species, which have high ecological value.

Through this activity, PAL is shaping a mindset that sees biodiversity protection as the backbone of ecological balance. Locals are encouraged to avoid actions harming the ecosystem, such as reckless land burning and poaching.

“We’re grateful for this session. [Having this] knowledge on mitigation will be incredibly helpful, especially when climate conditions keep changing,” said Louis Payes Maikuin, a well-known community leader in Rawa Kasat.

Meanwhile, endemic wildlife conservation is part of PAL’s sustainability commitments, which the company upholds at its location. Annual outreach sessions are held on this topic to educate the public and strengthen environmental consciousness among the people.

By synergizing efforts with local communities, PAL hopes to create a fire-free living environment and safeguard local flora and fauna for the sake of future generations. (PR)

Photo: The vibrant ceremony sets the stage for construction activities forming part of the plasma plantation project. Upon completion, the estate will be solely managed by nine indigenous clans in Ulilin District

SOUTH PAPUA – The Inggyash Ghuzi Cooperative in Ulilin District, Merauke Regency held a traditional ceremony Thursday (6/25/2026) in honor of the upcoming construction of a local plasma plantation, which, upon completion, will be operated solely by nine indigenous clans.

Leader of the Cooperative and the Koula clan, Richard Nosai Koula, said this project is a long time coming — hence the festivities, which symbolize gratitude to the ancestors.

“We hope land clearing and planting can take place immediately after this ceremony. We’re aiming for 500 hectares in the first year, and more in the second and third years, until we reach 3,700 hectares,” Richard, as he’s called, said eagerly.

Inggyash Ghuzi was founded in 2016 as a platform for the clans to explore entrepreneurial ventures and build collectively-owned businesses. The cooperative now holds a right to cultivate (HGU) for 4,607.2 hectares of land, of which 3,755 hectares are allocated for oil palm cultivation. The remaining 852 hectares will be a High Conservation Value (HCV) area dedicated to environmental preservation, as per the Cooperative’s commitment.

To support the plasma project, Inggyash Ghuzi is working with PT Bangun Papua Luhurkarya (BPL), whose job is to ensure farm development and management are run in line with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Best Management Practices (BMP).

Photo: In attendance were the head of Merauke Regency’s Department of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Plantation, representative from Merauke Regency’s Department of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and MSMEs, provincial, regency, and district government officials, and local community members

Prior to construction, the team went through several steps, said Maria Andini, BPL’s director. These included public briefing, free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) signing, partner appointment, agreement signing, HGU licensing, timber cruising, and contractor appointment for land clearing.

The next step will only begin once the HGU for the plantation is issued by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning (slash the National Land Agency) through Merauke Regency’s Land Office.

The Thursday ceremony was attended by the head of Merauke Regency’s Department of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Plantation, a representative from Merauke Regency’s Department of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and MSMEs, provincial, regency, and district government officials, and local community members. Their presence demonstrates support for indigenous-run oil palm farms.

“This indigenous-run farm is an exemplary project, and we hope that guidance from BPL will help Inggyash Ghuzi Cooperative and the nine clans expand their knowledge, gain better understanding, and develop more skills in oil palm management. This way, the estate can boost community income and well-being,” said Josefa L. Rumaseu, who leads Merauke Regency’s Department of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Plantation.

Meanwhile, Imakulata Mawun — on behalf of Merauke Regency’s Department of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and MSMEs — said this type of plasma plantation is “rare” in South Papua. Nearly all local NES (nucleus estate and smallholder) farms are centrally managed.

“Under a centralized management model, [partner] cooperatives can only receive progress reports and their share of revenue from the company, which built and manages the plasma smallholdings. On the other hand, autonomous management enables cooperatives to fully participate in smallholding operations,” said the Head of the Department’s Cooperative Unit.

Besides the government, local community leaders are also encouraging this community-oriented initiative. Youth representatives Glen Maikuin dan Piyer Basik-Basik expected job creation and better local economy, while stressing the need for prioritizing discussion should issues or disputes arise among the clans.

“We hope this farm can bring real economic benefits and the local government can give us support.”

Inggyash Ghuzi Cooperative is a legal entity established by and for nine indigenous Papuan clans in Ulilin District, Merauke Regency. It aims to grow businesses run by the members, and through this plasma plantation, deliver long-term economic impact. (PR)

Photo : The study room is filled with smiles and enthusiasm for learning from both PAUD KB Anak Hebat Mandiri teacher and students

SOUTH HALMAHERA – PT Gelora Mandiri Membangun (GMM) demonstrates its support for early childhood education through PAUD KB Anak Hebat Mandiri, a local equivalent of a playgroup that the company established at its location. This initiative is part of a commitment to promoting child growth and development from an early age through access to quality, safe education that builds well-rounded, mentally agile individuals.

PAUD KB Anak Hebat Mandiri is a learning facility that prioritizes academic, social, and emotional skill development alongside character building. Its activities are interactive and engaging, enabling the institution to maintain this focus. Furthermore, its location within GMM’s premises benefits children in nearby settlements.

The company believes education is a long-term investment that should be made early, said Byungjun Lim, GMM management representative. Through this learning facility, local children can grow to become intelligent and independent, with good character, skills, and knowledge to advance into higher education levels.

PHOTO: The close bond between teachers and students establishes a sense of safety that supports child growth and development

PAUD KB Anak Hebat Mandiri runs daily classes, where students are welcomed with warmth and encouraged to take part in activities ranging from singing, drawing, recognizing letters and numbers, to play-based learning. These activities are designed to develop cognitive, motor, social, and emotional abilities equally.

Tri Indrianti Nurichma, the school principal, said teachers are integral to the learning environment in that they create a fun, comfortable atmosphere for students at school.

“Early education teachers have a big responsibility to support children’s growth and development. They must be able to act as educators, caregivers, and motivators, every single day.”

PAUD KB Anak Hebat Mandiri designed its learning process to be hands-on, so that students understand the material without feeling overwhelmed.

GMM hopes to consistently contribute to early education improvements while shaping a generation that’s sharp-minded, self-sufficient, and virtuous. This commitment is put into action by dedicated PAUD KB Anak Hebat Mandiri teachers, who wholeheartedly support their students’ daily learning — the kids’ happy smiles reflecting healthy development. (PR)

Photo: The certificate presented to PT Gelora Mandiri Membangun (GMM) by the South Halmahera government. This document is a recognition of GMM’s work in opening job opportunities for local communities and advancing regional development

SOUTH HALMAHERA – PT Gelora Mandiri Membangun (GMM) was recently recognized by the South Halmahera Regency Government for its contributions to local employment and regional development. The company was presented with an award at the closing ceremony of South Halmahera Regency’s 23^rd anniversary celebration (6/16/2026).

This handover, featuring South Halmahera Regent Hasan Ali Bassam Kasuba and Vice Regent Helmi Umar Muchsin, celebrates GMM’s work in opening job opportunities for residents and driving local economic growth.

In general, the award demonstrates appreciation for businesses that side with the people, said Daud Djubedi, who leads the regency’s Department of Manpower and Transmigration.

“This is a token of our appreciation for companies and entrepreneurs who have helped create jobs and benefit our community,” said Daud.

Eligibility requirements include a strong commitment to hiring local talents. For the regency government, a business should not only propel economic activity, but also enhance community living standards.

Meanwhile, GMM sees this achievement as an impetus to deepen its role as a regional development partner. Beyond business operations, the company seeks to leverage its physical presence to deliver positive impacts — especially through work opportunities, community well-being initiatives, and support for the local economy.

On behalf of the GMM management, HR Assistant Manager Rosida Dg Hanafi called the award “a source of motivation” for strengthening corporate contributions to immediate communities.

“We, as PT GMM, would like to thank the South Halmahera Regency Government. This award encourages us to continually support local employment, improve employee well-being, and contribute to regional development through responsible and sustainable ways,” said Rosida.

GMM reaffirms its dedication to operating responsibly and sustainably. The company aims for continued collaboration with the South Halmahera government and community to ensure greater impact and progress for the region. (PR)

Photo: Willem Tutainon’s children at Miri Village receive their scholarships from TSE Group representatives

BOVEN DIGOEL – TSE Group’s scholarship program has been positively welcomed by local parents, who see it as financial relief and a source of encouragement for their kids.

Willem Tutainon, whose children are in elementary school, shared how the company consistently helps immediate communities — especially in his hometown in Miri Village, Jair District. Since 2020, his family has continued to receive regular educational support.

“The kids are so happy with the scholarship. They’re now more excited about learning and doing better in school,” said Tutainon. “This scholarship, it gives them the morale boost [they need], [and] helps them know that someone cares about their future.”

Meanwhile, fellow parent Modesta Aveterop felt the program has “brought peace of mind” regarding education costs.

As a housewife, she acknowledged its significance for local families, especially amid today’s challenging economy. Aveterop also hoped to see it continue.

Photo: Local families find educational support especially valuable amid a challenging economy

“This scholarship has really eased our burden. As parents who have little income, there were times when we had to figure out how to pay school fees. Now, both my child and I can rest easy,” said Aveterop, her voice filled with emotion when interviewed at her home Thursday (6/11/2026).

For TSE Group, investing in education means investing in Papua’s future. This belief informs its consistent approach with the program, which allows young indigenous people to continue learning, excelling, and realizing dreams.

“Education lays the groundwork for Papua’s future. We believe that quality education provides Papuans with bigger opportunities to grow, expand their capacity, and contribute to regional development,” said Daniel Sim Ayomi, TSE Group’s General Manager.

This program is part of TSE Group’s Corporate Social Contribution (CSC) initiatives that focus on education. It demonstrates a commitment to driving educational improvements and manpower development in places where the company operates. (PR)

Photo: The TSE Group team, Boven Digoel Regent Roni Omba, Boven Digoel government officials, and local indigenous institution members at the alternative location for the public market project. This site is chosen for its safety and convenience

BOVEN DIGOEL – On Thursday (6/4/2026), TSE Group subsidiary PT Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) sat down with the Boven Digoel Regency Government to discuss a public market project for local vendors at Jair District, Boven Digoel Regency (South Papua). Their goal is to establish a proper venue for these vendors that reflects good economic governance.

The talk was part of a visit led by Boven Digoel Regent Roni Omba, who came with officials from the local Department of Community and Village Empowerment as well as indigenous institutions. This group of guests was earlier welcomed by TSE Group’s PR General Manager Daniel Sim Ayomi and TSE executives.

Altogether, the parties represented the government, private sector, and indigenous community in a forum aimed at facilitating trade for Papuan mothers. It resulted in a range of suggestions for the site location.

Omba said this plan is included in local government efforts to improve economic infrastructure.

“Our focus is to keep vendors off the ground and provide them with better facilities to sell their goods.”

Photo: TSE Group executives and Boven Digoel Regent Roni Omba discuss ways to financially empower indigenous mothers at PT TSE’s office

Local merchants — including produce and essentials suppliers — have been using whatever space is available for operations. This brings into consideration the aspects of safety, comfort, accessibility, and alignment with long-term spatial strategies.

Moving forward, TSE is open to coordinating with government and indigenous representatives on this matter, executive Taeyul Hwam declared. TSE Group, he added, supports programs that directly impact communities.

“We welcome further discussions with the local government and community. We share the same goal, which is finding the safest, most ideal location for maximum economic impact.”

This project is hoped to significantly drive financial independence among indigenous South Papuans. Once completed, the market seeks to improve economic resilience for households, provide more productive business spaces, and preserve the key roles of Papuan mothers in their social and economic spheres. (PR)

TSE Group, Carbon Standards International, and the International Biochar Initiative have launched a palm biomass pilot in Indonesia and Malaysia. Utilizing continuous-operation kilns to pyrolyze fibrous residues, the project establishes a scalable, certified framework for 32 million tons of annual carbon removal.

TSE Group has announced a collaborative pilot initiative to convert abundant agricultural residues from palm oil plantations into high-quality biochar. Developed alongside Carbon Standards International (CSI) and the International Biochar Initiative (IBI), the project will be officially detailed at the upcoming Biochar Summit 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The operational framework is specifically designed for integration into tropical plantation landscapes across Indonesia and Malaysia, focusing on underutilized materials like Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) and Oil Palm Trunks (OPT). By establishing verified production and accounting systems, the coalition seeks to establish a highly reproducible paradigm for large-scale carbon management in the agricultural sectors of Southeast Asia.

The fundamental challenge addressed by this multi-organization initiative is the severe waste-management bottleneck and carbon liability associated with regional palm oil manufacturing. Plantations across Indonesia and Malaysia generate an estimated 140 million metric tons of unutilized biomass residues each year. Historically, the vast majority of these materials are discarded to rot or are openly burned, contributing to direct greenhouse gas emissions and localized air pollution. Conventional thermal processing technologies have consistently failed to handle this specific resource due to the physical nature of tropical agricultural secondary products. The high moisture content and complex, fibrous structure of palm oil residues cause rapid mechanical fouling and thermal inefficiencies in standard reactors, which has prevented industrial-scale valorization of this waste.

To circumvent these historical engineering barriers, TSE Group developed a continuous-operation pyrolysis kiln system optimized for fibrous, high-moisture tropical feedstocks. The design was finalized in coordination with an engineering firm in South Korea and ReCORD, a clean energy research institute based at the University of Florence. By modifying feed pre-treatment and thermal residence times, the engineered kiln maintains continuous operation without requiring external infrastructure modifications, new roads, or supplementary tree plantings. Furthermore, to address the lack of rigorous corporate carbon accounting in tropical agricultural regimes, the group is integrating the industrial carbon standards of CSI to systematically verify the stability and quality of the final material.

The operationalization of this pilot framework establishes a clear pathway toward massive, verifiable carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and circular resource management. Transitioning these 140 million tons of regional waste into a dedicated pyrolytic production chain presents a maximum potential yield of approximately 32 million metric tons of durable carbon dioxide removal annually. The localized deployment of these systems eliminates open-air burning emissions and returns stable carbon matrices to regional tropical soils, enhancing agricultural resilience. On a market scale, pursuing formal CSI certification provides the verification framework required to satisfy international carbon removal registries, bridging the gap between major tropical agricultural hubs and the global environmental commodity markets.

Source: biochartoday.com