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Merauke, 7 October 2026 — PT Bio Inti Agrindo (PT BIA) once again held the Bian Project Public Consultation 2026 at Swiss-Belhotel Merauke, Merauke Regency, South Papua. Under the theme “Stronger Communities, Greener Landscapes, Brighter Tomorrow,” the fifth public consultation served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration to discuss progress in conservation and community empowerment around the Bian Lake Wildlife Reserve.

The event was attended by Dr. Fauzun Nihayah, S.H.I., M.H. (Vice Regent of Merauke); Johny Santoso, S.Hut., M.Agr. (Head of BBKSDA Papua); representatives of village governments and indigenous community institutions; Musamus University; non-governmental organizations (NGOs); and other stakeholders. Johny Santoso, S.Hut., M.Agr. (BBKSDA Papua), Aryo Gustomo (Director, Assurance at RSPO), Agustinus Karlo Lumban Raja (Earthqualizer), and Alief Bagus Wicaksono (Yayasan Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar) also participated as speakers, sharing their perspectives and experiences on sustainability, conservation, and community empowerment.

The Bian Project Public Consultation has been held regularly since 2021, beginning with the Stakeholder Community Forum. This forum reflects PT BIA’s commitment to providing an open platform for dialogue, receiving stakeholder input, and strengthening collaboration in implementing the Bian Project.
The Bian Project focuses on protecting the Bian Lake Wildlife Reserve and the surrounding villages of Selil, Kindiki, Muting, Kolam, Pachas, Boha, Waan, and Selauw. The program integrates conservation efforts with community economic development, education, healthcare, fire management, and the implementation of best management practices.

Through the program, communities receive assistance in conducting patrols and area monitoring, protecting biodiversity, developing local businesses, improving product quality, and expanding market access. The Bian Project also supports community education and healthcare through various initiatives, including healthcare assistance, the promotion of Clean and Healthy Living Behaviors (Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat or PHBS), community health posts (Posyandu), and stunting prevention.

Fire management is another key component of the program. Efforts include strengthening the capacity of Community Fire Awareness Groups (Masyarakat Peduli Api or MPA), conducting patrols and monitoring potential fire risks, and providing supporting equipment. In addition, water quality monitoring and the communication of monitoring results to local communities help improve shared understanding and awareness of environmental protection.

Commitment to collaboration was one of the key messages highlighted during the event. Kong Byoung Sun, President Director of PT BIA, stated:

“We believe that sustainability can only be achieved through consistent collaboration. Companies, government, academia, NGOs, buyers, and communities all have important roles to play according to their respective capacities.”

This message aligns with the perspective of Johny Santoso, S.Hut., M.Agr., Head of BBKSDA Papua, who emphasized the importance of reaching common agreements and working together to protect the conservation area while improving the well-being of surrounding communities.

“With this public consultation, we can establish mutual agreements on how to work together to protect the Bian Lake conservation area while also improving the welfare of communities around Lake Bian through community empowerment.”

From the local government’s perspective, Dr. Fauzun Nihayah, S.H.I., M.H., Vice Regent of Merauke, also emphasized the importance of collaboration in promoting community well-being and economic independence.
“We believe that by working together and collaborating effectively to build prosperous communities that are economically independent, we can achieve these goals together.”

Beyond reviewing program progress, the public consultation provided an opportunity to gather feedback and discuss ongoing challenges faced by communities, including access, product marketing, transportation, and the need for continued support and participation from various stakeholders.

PT BIA recognizes that sustainability is a long-term process requiring consistent commitment and collaboration. Through the Bian Project, PT BIA remains committed to linking environmental protection with community empowerment and sustainable development, fostering a balance between nature, culture, and people in Merauke.
Guided by the spirit of “Stronger Communities, Greener Landscapes, Brighter Tomorrow,” PT BIA hopes to further strengthen existing partnerships and collaboration to support a more sustainable future for communities and the environment surrounding the Bian Lake Wildlife Reserve.