Sumatra Merang
Peatland Project
Project Size:
22,920 Hectares
Project Type:
Wetlands Conservation and Restoration (WRC), Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR)
Project Location:
South Sumatra, Indonesia
PROJECT IMPACT
Restoration
31%
closed forest canopy returned
Climate
1.3M
tons of CO2 reduced annually
Livelihoods
74%
of employed staff from surrounding villages
Biodiversity
36
IUCN threatened species protected & thriving
Education
400
children have access to improved education
Hear The SoundSumatra Merang Peatland Project
Project Overview
2016
Restoring Degraded peatlands
The Sumatra Merang Peatland Project (SMPP) is an Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land-Use (AFOLU) initiative in South Sumatra's Merang region, restoring one of the largest peat domes in the area. Supported by a USD 6M investment from the Althelia Climate Fund, SMPP generates an average of 1.2 million carbon offsets per year under Verra.
Historically affected by logging and fires, the area is now being revived through assisted natural regeneration (ANR). With project partner Global Alam Lestari, teams on the ground are actively conducting forest patrols and rewetting activities to reduce the risk of forest fire, strengthen the rural economy, and protect the habitat for critical species.
SMPP’s success lies in fostering community participation, creating sustainable jobs, and promoting environmental education, altogether restoring ecological balance. This asset has been globally recognized as a leading example of nature-based climate solutions.
Experience our project
BiodiversityCommunityClimate
Biodiversity Highlights
Sumatran Tiger
Panthera tigris sumatrae
176 Hz- DD
- LC
- NT
- VU
- EN
- CR
- EW
- EX
Real-Time
Biodiversity Monitoring
Real-Time
Biodiversity Monitoring
Using advanced technologies like remote camera traps and satellite imaging, we continuously track ecosystem health, allowing us to detect changes, respond to threats, and adapt management practices for optimal conservation outcomes.
Strategically placed camera traps capture critical data on wildlife presence and movements, documenting species like the Sumatran Tiger, Sumatran Sun Bear, and various birds. This data-driven approach also assesses the success of reforestation and habitat restoration.
Orchestrating a
Biodiversity Revival
Closed canopy vegetation has expanded by over 5,964 hectares, with secondary forest cover maintained throughout 2023. Additionally, 22,934 hectares of peatland forest have been restored through peat rewetting.
Over 284 peat compaction dams were constructed between 2019 to 2023, allowing for full restoration of wetland and return of forest canopy, providing refuge for 36 IUCN-Threatened Species, including the Critically Endangered Sumatran tiger, agile gibbon, and mitered langur. Vulnerable species like the sun bear, smooth-coated otter, and sambar deer also thrive in the restored habitat, highlighting the SMPP's critical role in species conservation.
