Sukanto Tanoto, founder of Tanoto foundation ensures continuation of eco-restoration through the Restorasi Ekosistem Riau Project (RER)

The Restorasi Ekosistem Riau Project (RER) is an ecologically vital program that has been proudly established by the APRIL group, a member of the RGE group of companies. With founder, entrepreneur and philanthropist pioneer Sukanto Tanoto firmly at the helm of the group, the RER Project has a significant aim on its agenda: restoring and conserving ecologically important peat forest areas in the Kampar Peninsula of Indonesia.

Established in 2013, Mr. Sukanto Tanoto views the RER Project as a joint effort, which brings together groups from both the private and public sectors of Indonesia. Collaborative partners on the RER Project include: Fauna & Flora International (FFI), Bidara, The Nature Conservancy and the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

A project of this size, with a landmass spanning 150 000 hectares, with the aim of being restored, protected, managed and assessed on a continuous basis is no small feat. With the steadfast support of Tanoto Foundation leader, Mr. Sukanto Tanoto, the APRIL Group stepped up to the plate and announced at the COP21, held in December 2015, that $100 million will be committed to this project over a period of 10 years.

In addition to this injection of funding, the RER Project has also required the provision and leverage of multi-stakeholders, including the engagement of local communities, support of government, expertise of researchers as well as the business acumen and resources of the APRIL Group themselves.

Tanoto Foundation through April revives decades of Protecting, Assessing, Restoring and Managing

The scope of the RER Project is one that potentially spans not just one decade, but multiple decades, with the sole drive of restoring and maintaining the bounty of Indonesia’s forest and peatlands. The project involves for core purposes:

1. Protecting the landscape
2. Assessing the ecosystem and social environment
3. Restoring native plant and wildlife species
4. Managing for sustainability

This project would not be achievable without the continued support of the APRIL and partners as well as the consistent and supportive leadership of Mr. Sukanto Tanoto, company head behind this important, ecological feat.

In line with the 3-Cs principal of the Tanoto Foundation, with the collaborative support of all stakeholders, the RER Project aims to restore and maintain 492 species of flora and fauna, employ up to 22 000 people and maintain the fine balance of Indonesia’s most sensitive and endangered ecosystems.

You can follow the founder, Mr. Sukanto Tanoto, founder of the RGE Group of companies and APRIL, via social media on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or LinkedIn.