New report demanding APRIL to stop plantations and start restoration of peat domes

Greenomics Indonesia released a report to demand APRIL to stop plantations and start restoration of peat domes. According to the report, data from the Peat Hydrological Unit of Indonesia’s Environment and Forestry Ministry suggest that 200,000 ha of concessions held by APRIL or its long-term supply partners lies on peat domes. Around a half, 100,000 ha has been already converted into acacia plantations.

During the COP 21 Paris event in December 2015, APRIL announced a USD 100 million peat restoration program, covering an area of some 150,000 hectares. Greenomics demands APRIL to restore the peat domes as quickly as possible, "no matter how extensive the indicative peat domes that have been planted with acacia”.

APRIL and its suppliers now need to do is to designate the acacia plantation blocks that include peat domes as protection zones” says the report. “Of course, this issue does not only involve APRIL's supply chain, but also the supply chains of other business groups, such as Asia Pulp and Paper (APP)”.

Greenomics also suggest APRIL to develop a master plan for the restoration of the peat domes that have been converted into acacia plantations.

In January this year, a group of international and Indonesian NGOs sent a letter to APRIL demanding to phase-out drainage-based plantations on peatlands and to restore hydrological conditions in drained concessions on peatlands (the letter is signed by EPN, RAN, WWF, Wetlands International, Walhi Riau, Canopy, JMGR and Mitra Insani).