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Merauke, 30 September 2025 – PT Bio Inti Agrindo (PT BIA), a palm oil plantation and processing company fully committed to implementing sustainable operations through best management practices, environmental awareness, community engagement, and employee welfare, continues to strengthen its collaboration in conservation and community development.

Referring to the RSPO RaCP sustainable certification guidelines, PT BIA has partnered with the Papua Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA Papua) to implement collaborative management in strengthening the conservation function of the Danau Bian Wildlife Reserve—known as the Environmental Conservation and Community Development Program (BIAN Project). This public consultation aims to reinforce transparency, participation, and collaboration in carrying out the BIAN Project.

Since 2021, PT BIA has initiated stakeholder community forums to gather input from various parties. Since then, the company has held this Public Consultation annually. The fourth Public Consultation was held on Monday, 30 September 2025, at Swiss-Bel Hotel, Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, attended by representatives from government institutions, the Head of BBKSDA Papua, village leaders, customary institutions, Musamus University, and other participants. PT BIA has collaborated with the Merauke Regional Government and BBKSDA Papua through the BIAN Project, which covers eight villages: Selil, Kindiki, Muting, Waan, Boha, Kolam, Pachas, and Selauw. The main objectives are to protect conservation areas from illegal activities, preserve ecosystem integrity, and improve community welfare. For on-site implementation, PT BIA has appointed local facilitators as field partners.

The BIAN Project focuses on five main pillars: supporting conservation management, promoting economic development, providing conservation incentives such as better access to education and healthcare, implementing integrated fire management, and advocating for best management practices. In the area of community economic development, 20 community enterprises and village-owned business units (BUMK) have been established, producing high-value local products such as 1,000 bottles of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), 300 VCO soaps, and over 1,500 Noken (traditional woven bags) marketed as cultural heritage crafts. In conservation support, BBKSDA—supported by PT BIA—has formed eight Masyarakat Mitra Polhut (Forest Ranger Community Partners) and eight Masyarakat Peduli Api (Fire Concern Communities), conducting over 24 forest patrols. Biodiversity inventory activities have also recorded the area’s richness, identifying 160 vegetation species, 15 mammals, and 99 bird species.

“This Public Consultation serves as a platform for transparency, participation, and collaboration. Through the BIAN Project, we are not only protecting the Danau Bian Wildlife Reserve but also ensuring sustainable economic independence for the surrounding communities,” said Renate R.T. Rahaor, Operation Manager of the BIAN Project.

“Through this Annual Public Consultation, PT Bio Inti Agrindo reaffirms its commitment to being a true partner to nature and the people of Merauke. The ECCDP (BIAN Project) is a long-term investment in conserving the Danau Bian Wildlife Reserve while promoting economic self-reliance for communities in the eight surrounding villages. PT BIA believes that business growth must go hand-in-hand with ecological and social responsibility, and we will continue to work collaboratively and transparently toward a sustainable and prosperous South Papua,” Renate added.

Yustina, Deputy Assistant of the Merauke Regency Government, stated in her opening remarks that “PT BIA has always provided space for involvement and active participation in the planning, implementation, and evaluation processes, consistently engaging all relevant stakeholders in the BIAN Project.”

Johny Santoso Silaban, Head of BBKSDA Papua, shared that the collaboration has resulted in positive impacts such as reduced fire incidents due to active patrols by MMP and MPA groups, as well as documented biodiversity within the Danau Bian Wildlife Reserve.

Kong Byoung Sun, President Director of PT BIA, emphasized, “PT BIA’s efforts are not separate from our business operations; they represent our core policy of pursuing responsible growth, ensuring that the palm oil industry develops in harmony with a healthy ecosystem and empowered communities.” During the conservation panel session, the key panelists included Johny Santoso S.Hut., M.Agr (Head of BBKSDA Papua), Dr. M. Guntur Ohoiwutun, S.H., M.H. (Customary Law Researcher), and Supiyono (Head of Conservation, PT BIA).

The subsequent social panel discussion featured Dr. Drs. Beatus Tambaip, MA (Rector of Musamus University, 2021–2025), Fredy, S.Pd., M.Pd. (Lecturer, Musamus University), FX Irianto (Director of Gapai Harapan Papua Foundation), Kristian Rayar (Coordinator, Silva Papua), and Ms. Tatat (Program Manager, Economic Justice, Oxfam Indonesia).