APRIL displays its sustainable forest management system, eco-restoration program as well as its fire management capabilities at a forestry exhibition from 12-14 November 2014, organised by the Indonesia Ministry of Environment and Forestry. A towering tree ornament welcomes visitors to APRIL’s booth in the exhibition. Among the visitors is Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar.

After reviewing the exhibits in the Forestry Exhibition, she said that the Ministry of Environment and Forestry will continue to boost the planting of trees to support the rehabilitation of the land and maintain forest ecosystems. This is also what APRIL is committed to do.

"We planted more than 500,000 seedlings per day, equivalent to 150 million stems per year. Planting trees is at the core of the business activities undertaken by the plantation companies,'' President Director of APRIL’s operations unit, RAPP, Kusnan Rahmin said.

Sustainable forest management practices are essential to maintaining healthy and productive forests. APRIL’s forest management practices safeguard the quantity and quality of the company’s forest resources by achieving a long-term balance between harvesting and re-growth. APRIL is also committed to conserve, restore and protect High Conservation Value forests.

“For the protection of the natural forest landscape, APRIL also supports the restoration and conservation of forest area of 400,000 hectares, equivalent to the plantation area that we have developed, '' he said.

During a panel discussion on sustainable forest management, Kusnan Rahmin also highlights APRIL’s responsible management of peatland that utilises the latest technology. The other participants in the panel discussion are community development expert Nasihin Hasan from the Indonesian non-governmental organization Bidara and Dr. Suwardi from Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB).

“We have been implementing concrete forest restoration program and manages plantation in an environmentally conscious and sustainable manner. We will continue to be Indonesia’s partner in elevating the country’s economic growth by creating jobs and opportunities at rural areas such as Riau province and grow together with the local communities,” he said.