Jakarta, INTI - PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom) continues to strengthen collaboration with communities and youth in various environmental conservation initiatives. One of these efforts is realized through the Bumi Berseru Fest program, which promotes community-based solutions to protect biodiversity and ensure ecosystem sustainability. This includes initiatives such as proboscis monkey conservation and mangrove planting in Tarakan, North Kalimantan.
Telkom’s SGM of Social Responsibility, Hery Susanto, emphasized that collaboration with communities is a key element in achieving effective and sustainable environmental preservation. Protecting the environment requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including young people who bring strong awareness and innovative ideas.
“Through the Bumi Berseru Fest program, Telkom aims to create a collaborative platform for communities to deliver tangible solutions in preserving ecosystems, while also raising public awareness about the importance of environmental conservation,” said Hery.
Driving Community Based Environmental Innovation
Bumi Berseru Fest 2025 is designed as an environmental innovation competition that encourages communities to develop sustainable solutions. This year, the program features various categories, including eco-products and green technology, while also providing funding and mentorship for the most impactful initiatives.
One of the initiatives emerging from the program is led by Association of Youth for Sustainability Indonesia (AYS Indonesia) in Tarakan. Motivated by concerns over the declining mangrove ecosystem caused by land conversion, habitat degradation, and limited public awareness, the group launched a conservation program aimed at protecting the endemic proboscis monkey while maintaining the balance of coastal ecosystems.
Through an integrated approach, the program has implemented several strategic actions. Between December 19–21, 2025, the AYS team, together with TelkomGroup volunteers, established a Feeding Spot Center, an area designed to provide supplemental nutrition in the form of bananas for proboscis monkeys, while also serving as an educational space for visitors to observe the animals without disrupting their natural habitat.
On January 24, 2026, AYS and volunteers planted 1,000 mangrove seedlings at Edu Park Kampung Empat to strengthen the coastal green belt and mitigate habitat damage.
Beyond conservation activities, the program also incorporates a scientific approach through ecosystem monitoring. Observations conducted on January 7, 2026, recorded 40 proboscis monkeys and identified 27 mangrove species in the area.
Insights from the feeding spot revealed unique behavioral patterns of proboscis monkeys, which tend to be solitary but form groups when facing threats. These findings are being utilized to develop an educational website that serves as a digital database for the public while supporting local government conservation efforts.
Founder of AYS Indonesia, M. Abrar Putra Siregar, expressed appreciation for Telkom’s support through the program. “We greatly appreciate Telkom, as only a few parties have shown strong commitment to this issue. The BBF program is highly effective and strategic because it involves local communities who truly understand environmental conditions on the ground,” he said.
Aligning with ESG and Global Sustainability Goals
This conservation initiative aligns with Telkom’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments through its GoZero, Sustainability Action program, particularly under the Environment pillar, Save Our Planet, which focuses on biodiversity preservation and ecosystem protection. It also contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and Goal 15 (Life on Land).
Looking ahead, mangrove rehabilitation efforts in North Kalimantan are expected to continue expanding to address increasing coastal abrasion. Through collaboration among communities, society, and stakeholders, this locally driven initiative is expected to evolve into a broader conservation movement to safeguard coastal ecosystems for future generations.
Conclusion
This initiative highlights the power of collaboration between corporations, communities, and young innovators in addressing environmental challenges. By combining conservation efforts, scientific monitoring, and sustainable innovation, Telkom and its partners are not only protecting biodiversity but also building a scalable model for long-term ecosystem resilience and environmental awareness.
Read more: The Minister of Manpower Collaborates with Danantara and the Ministry of Home Affairs to Promote Energy Management Campaigns in National Companies