PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, or BNI, strengthens its commitment to biodiversity preservation through vital land conservation, including the protection of the Mangrove forest in Banyuwangi. This Mangrove land conservation project, which is part of the BNI GoGreen Program, benefits both the local economy and tourism in Banyuwangi, East Java.
In commemoration of International Biodiversity Day which falls every May 22, a number of concrete steps have been taken by BNI as its contribution to protecting nature and environmental sustainability. Conservation of critical land by maintaining Mangrove forests and forests for Orangutan ecosystems.
BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo said that this year's Environmental Diversity Day commemoration has the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”, in line with BNI's spirit of creating a balance between humans and nature.
“As a pioneer of sustainable finance, BNI believes that business sustainability must go hand in hand with nature conservation, we realize this step through Environmental Social Responsibility through BNI Berbagi,” Okki said in a press release.
According to Okki, BNI Berbagi has integrated ESG principles in various environmental initiatives. In Pangpang Bay, Banyuwangi, BNI together with A+ CSR Indonesia conserve by planting Mangrove Trees on 50 hectares of critical land out of 600 hectares of existing land. This step also contributes to the economy of the local community such as increasing and stabilizing income from fish, shrimp and crab catches.
Not only that, BNI also helps supporting infrastructure in the form of clean water, prayer rooms, electricity and toilets in the area around the Mangrove Forest, Banyuwangi. This supporting tourism infrastructure makes the location of Pangpang Bay in Tegal Pare Hamlet, Wringin Putih Village, Banyuwangi become crowded with tourists and makes life easier for fishermen in obtaining clean water.
In addition to protecting Mangroves, BNI Berbagi also plays a role in protecting Endangered Species Conservation which is endemic to Indonesia, one of which is the Bornean Orangutan (Pongo Pygmaeus). Realizing the importance of orangutan sustainability as an umbrella species in maintaining environmental sustainability and biodiversity, since 2018 BNI has consistently supported orangutan conservation in Indonesia through collaboration with the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), with a focus on rehabilitation and conservation of critical lands that become Orangutan ecosystems.
This year, BNI rehabilitated 4 Orangutans and planted 8 hectares of critical land. This sustainable step has been carried out since several years ago where two Bornean Orangutans and tree planting in an area of 4 hectares of land have also been carried out.
International Biodiversity Day 2025 is a starting point for more significant changes. As part of the commitment to conservation and climate change mitigation, BNI through BNI Berbagi consistently supports the government in preserving nature and biodiversity and BNI's real contribution to society.