Agroforestry Pilot for Post-Fire Land Restoration, Kalimantan, Indonesia

**Project Overview** From 2022 to December 2023, the Pandu Alam Lestari Foundation (PAL), supported by Heidehof Stiftung, piloted a land restoration project in Bawan Village, Central Kalimantan. The initiative focused on rehabilitating fire-impacted land through agroforestry, planting 3,400 trees across 10 hectares and integrating environmental education and sustainable land practices. **Maintenance and Community Engagement** Throughout 2023, regular maintenance was conducted every three months, including cleaning around the trees, applying manure, and replacing dead seedlings. These efforts, spanning both rainy and dry seasons, engaged local farmers, students, and women’s groups in long-term restoration and agroforestry practices. **Key Insights and Challenges** In a region where land restoration competes with extractive industries like mining and palm oil plantations, the project gauged local interest in agroforestry as a viable, sustainable alternative. Despite challenges such as poor soil and limited landowner participation, the project laid the groundwork for future community-led restoration efforts and economic resilience. **Moving Forward from This Project (2025 Onwards)** Building on the restoration efforts in Bawan Village, Pandu Alam Lestari is currently expanding its work to Kotawaringin Timur, Central Kalimantan. In 2025, the team has launched agroforestry education programs targeting around 50 local farmers (petani tempatan), focusing on restoring abandoned and degraded areas. These ongoing activities aim to strengthen community knowledge and practical skills in sustainable land use, while fostering long-term stewardship.