RRi.CO.ID, Banjarbaru - The Indonesian Tropical Rainforest Park (TH2TI) in Banjarbaru is positioning itself not only as a conservation area but also as a model for innovative, circular economy‑based forest management.

The Ministry of Forestry has praised the South Kalimantan Provincial Forestry Agency for its management of the park, noting significant progress in preserving Kalimantan’s endemic plants and strengthening its role as an environmental education hub.

“The TH2TI area’s management has maintained biodiversity by conserving endemic plant life and reinforcing its function as an environmental education space for the community,” said Muhammad Zainal Arifin, Secretary of the Directorate General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Forestry, in Banjarbaru on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He added that TH2TI’s integrated approach, combining conservation, education, and efficient resource use, serves as a strong example for advancing the national agenda on sustainable forest and land rehabilitation.

The South Kalimantan Provincial Forestry Agency continues to strengthen management through environmental innovations. One initiative involves processing leaf waste into compost, reducing organic waste while meeting fertilizer needs in conservation areas.

“We are implementing two strategies to strengthen management: conserving plants and introducing environmentally‑based innovations that support sustainability,” said Fathimatuzzahra, Head of the agency.

She explained that composting leaf waste reflects circular economy principles, turning unused organic material into a valuable product for the park. TH2TI is home to diverse Kalimantan forest species, including ulin (Borneo ironwood) and around 14,000 meranti (lauan) trees, which play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance.

Fathimatuzzahra emphasized that the presence of these endemic plants demonstrates the region’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and supports national targets for forest and land rehabilitation. Conservation efforts have also expanded to other sites managed by the provincial administration, including Zwagery Island and the Cempaka area.

The government hopes that developing innovation‑based conservation areas will strengthen cooperation between central and regional administrations while promoting more effective, productive, and sustainable tropical forest management in South Kalimantan. ***