RRI.CO.ID, Kerinci - The Kerinci Seblat National Park Center (BBTNKS) has officially launched a 15-kilometer greenline reforestation program along the foot of Mount Kerinci in Jambi, targeting open degraded areas situated between intact forest vegetation.

The environmental restoration initiative spans 15 hectares of open land, with plans to plant a total of 9,000 native tree seedlings, averaging 600 trees per kilometer or hectare. The reforestation stock comprises 3,500 bambang lanang (Michelia champaca) seedlings, 3,500 gaharu (Aquilaria malaccensis) seedlings, and 2,000 surian (Toona sureni) seedlings.

BBTNKS is currently in the precondition phase, conducting field verification, technical planning, and community group mobilization across Giri Mulyo and Kersik Tuo Villages in Kayu Aro District. The multi-stakeholder project unites the Kerinci Regency Administration, local village heads, Forest Farmer Groups (KTH), and Fauna & Flora International (FFI). Park authorities urged local communities to safeguard existing forest zones and refrain from opening new forest land to preserve ecological stability for future generations.

BBTNKS emphasized that community participation and structured buffer-zone reforestation are vital for sustaining tropical forest ecosystems. Acting Head of BBTNKS Delfi Andra said that the multi-stakeholder setup and field preparation steps required before planting begins.

"The greenline program is currently in the precondition stage, carrying out field identification, verification, socialization, and the formation of community groups located along the border between intact forest vegetation and open areas, planting is scheduled for early September 2026, involving BBTNKS, the Kerinci Regency Administration, village heads, community members from Giri Mulyo and Kersik Tuo in Kayu Aro Subistrict, Fauna & Flora International, and local Forest Farmer Groups," Delfi said in Kerinci on Friday, August 7, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He concluded by appealing directly to surrounding residents to protect intact forest boundaries. "We urge communities living around the foot of Mount Kerinci to protect the forest area and refrain from opening new land in intact forest zones for the sake of future generations," Delfi urged. ***