Conservation Management
- Bumitama commits to the protection, restoration and/or co-management of High Carbon Stock (“HCS”) forests, peat lands and other areas identified as having High Conservation Value (“HCV”) by competent, accredited assessors, as per the RSPO New Planting Procedure.
- Approximately 87% of Bumitama Agri’s conservation area is considered High Conservation Value (HCV), 9% is identified as High Carbon Stock (HCS), and 3% is peat. The remaining 1% are other conserved areas, not identified by HCV or HCSA assessments.
- One of our key supplier commitments is no land clearing before HCV & HCS assessment, as per the RSPO New Planting Procedure. We have developed a satellite monitoring system to assess land cover changes in our own and supplier’s areas. The system uses GIS remote sensing via the Google Earth Engine, a code-based programme to detect any changes. Any detected changes are verified and addressed with the supplier. If confirmed, we request that corrective action and restoration of non-compliant deforestation or land conversion is undertaken. No interest to do so or inaction will result in ceasing of business relations.
- We regularly monitor signs deforestation inside and around our concessions through satellite monitoring system, drones and other available innovative technologies. Any non-compliant land clearing in areas of existing and potential suppliers, if verified on site and not rectified through approriate corrective action, will lead to supplier blacklisting.
- Our dedicated teams across all operations help us manage over 36,000 ha of conservation areas while overseeing specific initiatives at a Group level. These specialised workers have been trained in biodiversity monitoring using spatial monitoring and reporting tools (SMART), human–orangutan conflict mitigation, and camera trap placement for future results analysis. The teams regularly conduct conservation patrols for wildlife and indigenous species, while recording the progress of restoration activities, monitoring any endangered or vulnerable species and looking for any signs of illegal activity.
Summary table of our HCV reports:
Company |
Certification Scheme |
Date of Publication |
Evaluation Status |
HCV Report Summary |
Karma Makmur Langgeng |
Integrated HCV-HCS for RSPO New Planting |
23/02/2023 |
Satisfactory |
Click here |
Tanah Tani Lestari |
Integrated HCV-HCS for RSPO New Planting |
15/12/2021 |
Satisfactory |
Click here |
Lestari Gemilang Intisawit, Agro Manunggal Sawitindo, Nabati Agro Subur |
Integrated HCV-HCS for RSPO New Planting |
29/11/2021 |
Satisfactory |
Click here |
PT Agriplus |
RSPO NPP |
09/01/2020 |
Satisfactory |
Click here |
PT Damai Agro Sejahtera |
RSPO NPP |
18/10/2019 |
Satisfactory |
Click here |
PT Hungarindo Persada |
RSPO NPP |
29/11/2018 |
Satisfactory |
Click here |
PT Raya Sawit Manunggal |
RSPO NPP |
14/08/2018 |
Satisfactory |
Click here |
PT Gemilang Makmur Subur |
RSPO NPP |
25/10/2016 |
Satisfactory |
Click here |
PT Investa Karya Bakti |
RSPO NPP |
11/08/2016 |
Satisfactory |
Click here |
PT Karya Bakti Agro Sejahtera 3 |
RSPO NPP |
11/08/2016 |
Satisfactory |
Click here |
Pest Management
Using an integrated pest management strategy prioritises the use of natural pest reduction solutions and encourages biological controls by means of beneficial plants, pathogens and bacteria. These include improved management of the following problems:
Stem Rot Disease from Ganoderma Fungus
- Bumitama grows the Trichoderma fungus from palm oil fibre, in order to help mitigate potential Ganoderma outbreaks across all our plantations. The fungus is applied to the affected plant and surrounding healthy plants to inhibit the development of the disease. We also produce Arbuscular mycorrhizae, which is applied to oil palm plants during the seedling phase to increase its immunity against Ganoderma.
Oil Palm Leaf-Eating Caterpillars
- Our operational teams routinely plant beneficial plants across plantations that help attract natural enemies of the oil palm parasites. These include the Eight o’clock flowers (Turnera subulata), Bridal tear flowers (Antigonon leptopus), and Chinese ketepeng (Cassia cobanensis).
- We have developed means of biological control of caterpillar pupa, using Cordyceps militaris. This is an entomopathogenic fungus that is the natural enemy of larvae of moths and butterflies that damage palm oil plants and substitutes chemical insecticides.
Rats Attacking Oil Palm Plants
- Bumitama has been successful using barn owls to help curb rodent infestation. To help increase the owl population, we have built shelters and artificial nests across our plantation areas.
- Consequently, total rodenticide use has decreased drastically since 2018. As of December 2024, 96,2% of our total planted area is free from rodenticide which has been replaced by the natural predators.
We are also trialling alternative herbicides, such as diuron and fluroxypyr, which better target unwanted plant species and prevent resistance.
Biodiversity Conservation
Bumitama is deeply committed to environmental conservation, particularly by identifying, managing, and monitoring conservation areas that serve as critical habitats for diverse species of flora and fauna. These areas are not only home to endemic and protected species but also play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of tropical forests ecosystems. Beyond acting as preserved green zones, these areas function as biodiversity strongholds and natural regulators within a complex environmental framework.
Our conservation approach is grounded in structured, collaborative methods that reflect the shift towards more strategic and integrated management. All activities are guided by the High Conservation Area Network (HCVN) and implemented in partnership with internal specialists and external conservation collaborators.
Recent biodiversity monitoring results, carried out in cooperation with government agencies, NGO and local community, indicate that Bumitama’s conservation areas support an estimated 250 to 300 orangutans, alongside 30+ other species listed as Endangered under the IUCN Red list, within our managed landscapes.
To protect and enhance biodiversity, Bumitama’s Biodiversity Policy commits to the following actions:
- Protect habitat of endangered species.
- Monitor biodiversity trends, both positive and negative, within our own land bank and in the social forestry areas that we support.
- Enforce a strict no-hunting and no-poaching ban across all operations.
- Proactively engage communities and other parties involved in illegal hunting and logging, encouraging transition to alternative livelihoods.
- Report suspected illegal activities (hunting, poaching and logging) to government enforcement agencies when detected on or near our estates.
- Support species focused conservation initiatives, such as programmes aimed at increasing orangutan populations, through partnerships with relevant conservation groups.
- Develop a comprehensive biodiversity conservation and restoration management plan.
- Commission a second review of all our HCV-HCS areas by 2028 or earlier, to update boundary maps, legal status and information related to conservation and carbon values.
In line with these commitments, Bumitama also operates the Sustainable Forest Management Programme (Program Hutan Lestari), which demonstrates our ongoing dedication to sustainability by safeguarding conservation areas from illegal encroachment, while also conducting regular biodiversity monitoring and flora and fauna conservation efforts.
Bumitama remains steadfast in its mission to protect biodiversity and maintain ecological integrity. Through continuous conservation efforts and environmentally responsible practices, we aim to contribute to long-term sustainability, while preserving nature for future generations.
Read more for our latest update here.