ILO to share lessons on alternative green livelihoods in Central Kalimantan

The Island of Kalimantan, particularly Central Kalimantan, is home to unique ecological systems that include tropical peat swamp forest. However, due to land degradation, some local communities in the Ex-Mega-Rive Project (EMRP) area of Central Kalimantan practice illegal mining and timber logging activities in order to gain sufficient income. These activities, as a result, have negatively impacted their well-being and the environment through forest deforestation and degradation.

Press release | Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia | 19 September 2013
PALANGKARAYA (ILO News): The Island of Kalimantan, particularly Central Kalimantan, is home to unique ecological systems that include tropical peat swamp forest. However, due to land degradation, some local communities in the Ex-Mega-Rive Project (EMRP) area of Central Kalimantan practice illegal mining and timber logging activities in order to gain sufficient income. These activities, as a result, have negatively impacted their well-being and the environment through forest deforestation and degradation.
The main goal of this ILO's GLACIER Project is to improve access to sustainable livelihoods for the local communities through supporting the comprehensive REDD+ Master Plan for the Rehabilitation and Revitalization of the EMRP. 


As part of the efforts of the Government’s REDD+ programmes for sustainable use of natural resources, conservation and rehabilitation of ecosystems, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has been implementing a pilot project, the Green Livelihoods Access for Central Kalimantan’s Inclusive Environmental Response to Climate Change (GLACIER), since September 2012. The main goal of this Project is to improve access to sustainable livelihoods for the local communities through supporting the comprehensive REDD+ Master Plan for the Rehabilitation and Revitalization of the EMRP in five piloted villages: Aruk, Lawang Kajang, Bereng Bengkel, Pilang and Tumbang Nusa Villages.

Sharing the lessons and experiences of the GLACIER Project, the ILO organised a one-day technical workshop on 19 September in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan. The workshop was aimed at showcasing and sharing the achievements of the Project and its implementation challenges. The workshop also provided a forum for exchanging lessons and best practices of the Project, to ensure that the community participatory approach as well as the local resources-based approach in the context of REDD+ would be maintained and replicated.

“Economic activities provide people with livelihoods and also impact on the environment and climate change - and vice versa. A key point here is ensuring that employment is sustainable in the short, medium and long term - which is intricately linked to the use of the environment. Thus, the ILO is keen to continue to work with the Government of Indonesia to design and implement future REDD+ initiatives effectively and efficiently,” said Peter van Rooij, Director of the ILO in Indonesia.

To date, the ILO’s GLACIER Project implemented agro forestry and fire management activities as an investment in the environment and to rehabilitate degraded peat land. In addition, the project provided trainings on rubber farming, fisheries tapping techniques and entrepreneurship supporting a Green Value Chain Development of the rubber and fisheries sectors.

In complement of these activities, the Project also improved access to socioeconomic facilities and markets through the reconstruction of roads, bridges and swampy crossing. The ILO approach is therefore presented as a “package” of complementary activities to provide the communities with sustainable livelihoods. Approximately 10,000 days of work have been provided to the beneficiaries as a means to support them with short-term revenues while pursuing this long-term approach.

The workshop also showcased the results of the ILO’s GLACIER Project in three areas: 1. Environment infrastructure investment; 2. Rural access enhancement; and 3. Green value chain development. The results are the following outputs and impact on the local communities in five piloted villages:

Environmental infrastructure investment

  • 166.9ha of land planted with rubber, fruit plants and native forest trees;
  • 4,993 work days generated; and
  • 1,600 metres of fire breaks built.

Rural access enhancement

  • 200 metres of swampy crossing in Tumbang Nusa;
  • 400 metres motorbike trail and a baby bridge in Pilang;
  • 215 metres road improvement in Aruk and 72m road in Lawang Kajang completed; and
  • 4,743 work days generated.

Green value chain development

  • 25 fish ponds built in five villages;
  • A series of trainings on entrepreneurship, rubber tapping and fish farming; and
  • Capacity building for relevant government officials on green jobs and local economic development.
For further information please contact:
Mr Yunirwan Gah
Project Coordinator of the ILO’s GLACIER Project in Palangkaraya
Tel.: +62380 820 766
Email