Hutan Harapan

Protecting and restoring forests for future needs

With an area of about 100,000 hectares, Hutan Harapan - Indonesian for "Forest of Hope" - comprises one of the last remaining continuous lowland rainforests in Sumatra. It is one of the last refuges for numerous endangered species, such as Sumatran tigers, Sumatran elephants and rhinoceros hornbills. In addition, the forest’s countless ecosystem functions secure the livelihood of the indigenous Batin Sembilan and other local population groups.

However, Hutan Harapan is facing enormous pressure from surrounding land use. Deforestation for infrastructure projects, plantations and arable land threaten the precious forest. Additionally, illegally set forest fires and prolonged dry seasons fuelled by the global climate crisis aggravate the situation. It is therefore crucial to ensure the long-term preservation and restoration of the forest and its ecosystem functions.

Together with the local population and its partners, Burung Indonesia, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), BirdLife International and KfW Development Bank, NABU has been working since 2007 to protect and restore this valuable lowland rainforest. In this way, the project makes an important contribution to the current UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030. The project is funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).

The main focus of our work

Protecting biodiversity

Hutan Harapan is located in the global biodiversity hotspot Sundaland, which is characterised by a particularly high, but unfortunately also highly threatened biodiversity. More than 1100 animal and plant species have already been systematically recorded here, including over 300 bird species and more than 60 mammal, 70 reptile and 60 amphibian species. Monitoring of the flora and fauna aims to further explore the biodiversity of the region and to systematically track selected species in order to measure and improve the effectiveness of conservation measures.

Cooperation with local communities

Close cooperation with local population groups, such as the indigenous Batin Sembilan, is indispensable for the long-term protection of the rainforest and aims, among other goals, at empowerment and the development of sustainable sources of income. Furthermore, access to education and health facilities, which is financed by the project, also plays an important role.

Preserving an important carbon sink

In the fight against the global climate crisis, the protection of intact rainforests like Hutan Harapan is indispensable. Through regular patrols in close cooperation with local authorities, illegal logging and land grabbing are counteracted. In addition, degraded areas are protected to allow for natural regeneration. If necessary, this process is supported by targeted planting of native seedlings.

The project in detail

The first project phase and the pioneering ERC licensing model

How NABU’s engagement in Hutan Harapan began

The structural and organisational foundations that were laid during the first project phase (2009–2014) continue to underpin the Hutan Harapan project to this day. This included building reliable project partnerships (see dropdown above) as well as establishing clear management and decision-making processes. A particular focus was placed on cooperation with local communities, especially indigenous groups: Village Resource Management Agreements were concluded with more than 60 per cent of the Batin Sembilan communities. These agreements defined participation rights, resource use and conservation measures in a binding manner and strengthened the role of local actors within the project.

The first project phase therefore not only established the institutional framework for rainforest conservation, but also created the social foundation for a long-term conservation initiative with broad local acceptance.

A new licensing model for rainforest conservation

A key milestone of the first project phase was the introduction of the Ecosystem Restoration Concession (ERC) – at the time a novel licensing model in Indonesia. While the state remained the owner of the forest, it transferred long-term user rights to an organisation with a clear mandate to protect, restore and manage the forest sustainably. In the case of Hutan Harapan, this responsibility was assumed by PT REKI, supported by Burung Indonesia, RSPB and BirdLife International.

The licence was subject to binding conservation requirements. It explicitly excluded commercial timber extraction. Instead, the focus was placed on restoring degraded forest areas, complemented by measures to protect biodiversity and to secure the long-term integrity of the project area. Ongoing monitoring, regular reporting and state oversight ensured compliance with these objectives. Although ERCs are no longer newly issued following legislative reforms in Indonesia, their model character remains intact: Hutan Harapan continues to be regarded as a pioneer in demonstrating how rainforest conservation can be legally secured and effectively implemented over long periods of time.

Results and impacts of the first project phase

The first project phase already delivered measurable ecological, social and institutional results. Key drivers of deforestation – such as illegal logging, forest fires and land grabbing – were addressed in a targeted manner. At the same time, around 3,076 hectares of forest were restored. Accompanying monitoring programmes documented a high level of biodiversity, with approximately 1,200 recorded animal and plant species, including 26 critically endangered species. Between 2009 and 2015, 29 Sumatran tigers were also recorded within the project area.

The project also generated positive impacts for the climate and local communities. Assessments indicate that Hutan Harapan has the potential to store significant amounts of CO₂ over several decades. Around 50 per cent of the local population, particularly members of the indigenous Batin Sembilan, benefited from improved socio-economic opportunities. The establishment of a Harapan Trust Fund marked an important step towards securing the project’s long-term financial sustainability. The lessons learned were incorporated into national and international forest restoration strategies and helped establish Hutan Harapan as a recognised reference project.

related topics