Regenerating Rainforests

Under Health In Harmony’s planetary health model, when you support regenerating rainforests in Indonesia, you invest not only in nature and biodiversity but in community thriving as defined by communities themselves.

One of such community-designed climate solutions is the Chainsaw Buyback program under which former or active loggers are invited to sell their chainsaws in exchange of alternative livelihoods training: a micro-enterprise program that encompasses sustainable startup business loans. It was launched by Health In Harmony and its affiliate ASRI, and has grown into a program with over 300 participants, 93 of whom joined in 2024.

This Chainsaw Buyback program has been driving meaningful change by helping communities transition to sustainable income sources while reducing reliance on forest resources. It both curbs illegal logging and provides people with an alternative that is good for the people and the planet. Now, the program is evolving in exciting new ways. With support from ASRI, community members in Sudakana, Indonesia are turning their disused chainsaw engines, guide bars and chains into tools for organic farming. Collaborating with local workshops, community members are turning the engines from chainsaws into cultivators and chaff-cutting machines by adding in parts such as wheels and blades. 

In the photos below, you can see how chainsaw parts are upcycled into machetes and other harvesting equipment, proving that with the right mindset, even the most unexpected materials can support a positive impact for the planet. 

Thank you for believing in our mission of advancing planetary health by listening to rainforest communities. Together, we can protect the Earth’s precious rainforests: by investing in what their stewards need the most.   

Links:

• Read more about HIH's work in Indonesia

In the final months of 2024, in partnership with ASRI and you, we made significant strides in protecting rainforests by nurturing thousands of seedlings, planting hundreds, and closely monitoring areas for potential deforestation. These are possible because you invest in planetary health and the regeneration of Indonesia's rainforests.

Every tree starts as a fragile seedling requiring care and nurturing. In just the last weeks of 2024, we prepared around 1,700 seedlings comprising hardwood and fruit tree species at the Laman Satong Nursery for future reforestation. Additionally, we collected 2,357 seedlings from patients as non-cash payments for healthcare services. This innovative solution, designed by local communities, is one of Health In Harmony’s long-standing approaches to planetary health. Your support also ensured the maintenance of nursery facilities, safeguarding these seedlings on their journey to becoming part of our reforested landscapes.  

When it comes to reforestation, we’re thrilled to share that, with ASRI’s collaboration, we planted 3,000 seedlings on 1 hectare of degraded forest and enriched another site with 1,500 seeds in December. In another site, Gunung Sembilan, approximately 945 seedlings were used for enrichment planting across 16 community gardens. We also continued monitoring seedlings planted in September 2023 to ensure their successful growth. 

Another vital aspect of regenerating rainforests is preventing deforestation. Our Forest Guardians, who are respected community members, monitored forest activity across 10 sub-villages bordering Gunung Palung National Park (GPNP) and 12 sub-villages further away. In December, they hosted Forest Guardian meetings in three locations, along with a general meeting to share monitoring results with GPNP officials.  

None of this would be possible without you. The journey of a fragile seedling, much like the delicate state of our planet, requires immense care and dedication. Together, we are listening to rainforest communities, protecting these precious ecosystems, and healing our planet.  

Thank you for being part of this vital work.