Vietnam Delegation Impressed by Xylarium Bogoriense: The World’s Largest Wood Library
Bogor, 6 February 2025 – A delegation from Vietnam recently visited Xylarium Bogoriense, Indonesia’s renowned wood collection, and was profoundly impressed by the extensive range and scientific significance of the specimens on display. Located within the Center for Sustainable Forest Development, Xylarium Bogoriense houses over 206,000 authenticated wood samples that represent approximately 6,700 species, including more than 100 varieties of bamboo and rattan, as well as ancient wood fossils. Established in 1914, the Xylarium Bogoriense is recognized as the world’s largest xylarium. These specimens encompass approximately 110 plant families and thousands of genera and species, making them a comprehensive resource for research and education. During their visit, the Vietnamese representatives expressed admiration for the systematic organization and thorough documentation of the collection. “The variety and quality of these wood specimens are exceptional,” commented one member of the delegation. “This collection is invaluable for research on wood anatomy, the identification of forestry species, and sustainable utilization.” Xylarium Bogoriense plays a vital role in supporting initiatives in forest science and technology. It serves researchers, academics, students, and policymakers for purposes such as anatomical analysis, taxonomy, forensic wood identification, and conservation planning. Additionally, the collection promotes cross-border cooperative research, particularly among ASEAN countries. This visit highlights Indonesia’s leadership in tropical forestry science and its commitment to sharing knowledge that fosters sustainable forest product development across Southeast Asia. The Center for Sustainable Forest Management Development continues to develop programs that promote research collaboration, capacity building, and innovation in the forestry sector. As ASEAN nations strengthen their collaboration in sustainable forestry, facilities like Xylarium Bogoriense become essential assets that enhance regional forestry research, education, and innovation. **Published by:** Center for Sustainable Forest Development (P2HB) Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia
Developing the WMC Information System: Indonesia’s Strategic Step Toward Becoming a Global Mangrove Center
To strengthen Indonesia’s position as a global leader in mangrove management, the Center for Standardization of Sustainable Forest Management Instruments (Pustarhut) is developing the Wetland Management Center (WMC) Information System. This step aligns with the country’s commitment to implementing science- and technology-based forest and wetland conservation policies. The WMC Information System is designed as a central platform for data integration, knowledge sharing, and coordination among various stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, and local communities. This system is expected to provide real-time and reliable data related to mangrove ecosystems and wetland areas across Indonesia. It will also serve as a reference point for national and international collaborations in wetland ecosystem restoration and protection. In a series of discussions and consultations, Pustarhut has collaborated with experts and partners to design the system’s architecture and define its key features. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to support Indonesia’s leadership in the ASEAN region and globally in the field of sustainable mangrove ecosystem development. The platform will also strengthen Indonesia’s role in achieving global environmental goals, including climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. By building the WMC Information System, Indonesia is not only investing in a national database but also paving the way toward becoming a center of excellence for mangrove knowledge, policy, and innovation at the global level.***
PuSTARhut at COP 29: Highlighting Community Role and Standards in Mangrove Management
Baku, 16 November 2024 — The Center for Standardization of Sustainable Forest Management Instruments (PuSTARhut) actively participated in a talk show at the Indonesian Pavilion during COP 29 held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event, initiated by APP Group, was themed “Joint Efforts to Preserve Mangrove Ecosystems.” Speakers included Jasmine Doloksaribu (APP Group), Wening Sri Wulandari (PuSTARhut), Natalia Rialucky (Fairatmos), and Charles Karangwa (IUCN). In his keynote address, Prof. Satyawan Pudyatmoko, Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, emphasized the importance of robust governance in mangrove conservation programs: “Mangrove conservation must uphold three principles: ecosystem sustainability, species protection, and biodiversity,” he asserted. Community Engagement: A Key to Success Wening Sri Wulandari, Head of PuSTARhut, presented on Sustainable Mangrove Management Through Innovative and Collaborative Actions, stressing the critical role of local communities: “Communities are key actors in successful mangrove management, as they interact directly with mangroves on the ground,” she stated. She cited a successful collaboration example: restoration of mangroves on former fishponds in Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, coordinated by KPH Amplang Plampang and supported by AFoCO. Standards in Support of Mangrove Management PuSTARhut also highlighted achievements in developing technical standards, including SNI for mangrove seed and seedling handling, and the initiation of the World Mangrove Center, backed by the Government of Germany. “Indonesia has developed best practices for mangrove management, information systems, and regional mangrove centers, which should be managed, documented, and disseminated to stakeholders nationally and internationally. Furthermore, many partner countries are seeking collaboration with Indonesia in mangrove management and require policy guidance,” Wening explained during her presentation. Insights from Other Speakers Jasmine Doloksaribu (APP Group) highlighted successful mangrove conservation and rehabilitation programs in Jambi, South Sumatra, Tangerang, and Banten. Meanwhile, Natalia Rialucky (Fairatmos) discussed carbon pricing and the development of systems to facilitate monitoring of rehabilitation success and calculating carbon stocks. Ria pointed out ongoing challenges in mangrove rehabilitation, particularly technical barriers related to proper planting techniques and the importance of technology in monitoring success. Interactive Dialogue and Audience Engagement Moderated by Dr. Efransyah, the talk show prompted enthusiastic participation from over 50 attendees representing countries such as Japan, Korea, Gambia, and others in Africa. Participants showed interest in silvofishery rehabilitation techniques, addressing Nypa palm as an invasive species in mangrove ecosystems, and exploring systems for monitoring and evaluation of rehabilitation efforts. Recommendations and Next Steps The session concluded with a recommendation that Indonesia host an international forum to share knowledge, best practices, and policy strategies among stakeholders involved in mangrove conservation and rehabilitation, including government initiatives such as the World Mangrove Center.
PUSTARHUT Participates in the Eleventh Session of the Assembly of AFoCO, Supports the Initiative for Developing a Mangrove Exhibition
The Center for the Development of Sustainable Forest Management Instruments (PUSTARHUT) participated in the Eleventh Session of the Assembly of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), which took place on March 5–7, 2024, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. As part of the Indonesian delegation led by the Director of the Center for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF), PUSTARHUT expressed support for the initiative to develop a Mangrove Exhibition as part of the ASEAN-Korea Forest Cooperation. This session was officially opened by Mr. Lee Hyeon Uk, Chair of the Eleventh Session of the Assembly of AFoCO and Director General of the Korea Forest Service (KFS). In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of strengthening collaborative efforts to address climate change through forest-based approaches, including the sustainable management of forest resources and the development of social forestry. PUSTARHUT’s involvement in the session was marked by its support for Indonesia’s proposal to develop a Mangrove Exhibition. The initiative aims to promote knowledge exchange, raise public awareness, and strengthen regional collaboration on mangrove ecosystem conservation, which aligns with Indonesia’s commitment to achieving its FOLU Net Sink 2030 target. The proposed Mangrove Exhibition will serve as a platform to showcase best practices, research, and technological innovations in mangrove restoration and management across ASEAN countries and Korea. The exhibition is expected to be a part of a broader effort to enhance public understanding and stakeholder engagement in the conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems. During the session, AFoCO member countries also shared updates on national programs, ongoing projects, and future collaboration plans under the organization’s framework. The Indonesian delegation took the opportunity to highlight its key initiatives, including community-based forest management, forest fire control strategies, and the implementation of standards in forest resource development. Through this participation, PUSTARHUT reinforces its role in regional forest diplomacy and its dedication to strengthening cooperation in sustainable forest management and environmental protection in the Asia-Pacific region.
Strengthening Wood Anatomy Knowledge, Sarawak Visits Xylarium Bogoriense
Bogor, October 15, 2024 – Today, seven forestry experts from the Sarawak Forestry Department, Malaysia, visited Xylarium Bogoriense located at the Sustainable Forest Management Instrumentation Standardization Center (PuSTARhut) Campus in Bogor. The visit aimed to explore wood anatomy and wood identification technologies, marking an important moment in strengthening collaboration between Malaysia and Indonesia. The Research and Development Division of the Sarawak Forestry Department manages its xylarium with no fewer than 16,000 wood samples. Through this visit, they hoped to learn best practices from Indonesia in managing a xylarium.
Strengthening Wood Anatomy Knowledge, Sarawak Visits Xylarium Bogoriense
Bogor, October 15, 2024 – Today, seven forestry experts from the Sarawak Forestry Department, Malaysia, visited Xylarium Bogoriense located at the Sustainable Forest Management Instrumentation Standardization Center (PuSTARhut) Campus in Bogor. The visit aimed to explore wood anatomy and wood identification technologies, marking an important moment in strengthening collaboration between Malaysia and Indonesia. The Research and Development Division of the Sarawak Forestry Department manages its xylarium with no fewer than 16,000 wood samples. Through this visit, they hoped to learn best practices from Indonesia in managing a xylarium. A xylarium is essentially a wood library—a specialized collection that stores various wood specimens. Xylarium Bogoriense is managed by PuSTARhut under the Environmental and Forestry Instrumentation Standardization Agency. Wening Sri Wulandari, Head of PuSTARhut, personally welcomed the visit. “Welcome to Xylarium Bogoriense, the largest xylarium in the world, established in 1915, with over 200,000 authentic wood specimens—not only wood but also rattan, bamboo, and petrified wood,” said Wening. She further explained that Xylarium Bogoriense now serves as a reference for data and information used in developing standards and providing wood identification testing services. “PuSTARhut is tasked with formulating forest management standards. The availability of data and information in this xylarium is a crucial reference in the development of standards, especially for timber forest product management,” Wening added. Runi Sywesta Pungga, the team leader from Sarawak, shared her impressions of the visit. “It’s a rare and valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with Xylarium Bogoriense,” she said. Runi mentioned that Central Sarawak is currently developing an artificial intelligence-based wood identification system called the Sarawak Wood Identification System (SWIDS), similar to Indonesia’s AIKO (Automated Wood Identification Tool). SWIDS, however, still faces implementation challenges. “Our main issue is obtaining perfect wood samples to generate good-quality images for data input,” said Teng Xin Yao, a member of the Sarawak Forestry Department’s Research and Development Division who joined the visit. Jorgy, the curator and lab analyst of the xylarium, provided an overview of the facility. “Xylarium Bogoriense stores uniquely shaped trapezoidal specimens, designed to make identification easier and data more accurate. In addition to trapezoids, we also keep block-shaped samples, micro slides, and wood disks,” Jorgy explained. In addition to discussions and knowledge exchange, the delegates had the opportunity to observe various wood specimens and wood products housed in Xylarium Bogoriense. They were particularly impressed with the batik collection inspired by wood anatomy structures displayed in the lobby. The visit concluded with a group photo. It is hoped that this visit will yield meaningful benefits in enhancing forest management knowledge and biodiversity conservation in both countries. ***
Pustarhut Showcases Collaborative Achievements at the 2024 Annual Technical Workshop in Bangkok
Bangkok, September 9, 2024 – The Center for Standardization of Sustainable Forest Management Instruments (Pustarhut) once again steps onto the international stage by participating in the 2024 Annual Technical Workshop (ATW) organized by the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), held in Bangkok from September 9–11, 2024. The Annual Technical Workshop serves as a platform to assess the performance and management of collaborative projects. Pustarhut is currently managing the AFoCO cooperation project titled “Innovative Solutions for Climate Change and Biodiversity Landscape Strategy to Support SDGs in Indonesia (AFoCO/023/2021).” The project aims to introduce innovative approaches to sustainable forest management practices, enhance the capacity of Forest Management Units (KPH) and local communities, and contribute to greenhouse gas emission reduction and biodiversity conservation across landscapes. This project focuses on three ecosystem types: peatland ecosystems in Riau (Minas Tahura KPH), karst ecosystems in Makassar (Bulusaraung KPH), and mangrove ecosystems in Sumbawa (Amplang Plampang KPH). Set to conclude in December 2024, the AFoCO/023/2021 project’s progress was comprehensively presented by Ayun Windyoningrum, the Project Manager from Pustarhut, during the workshop. “All targeted outputs have essentially been achieved, including capacity building for KPH and communities, the development of pilot demonstrations, and the facilitation of long-term forest management planning based on climate adaptation and mitigation,” explained Ayun. The results of the collaboration were also presented through a video showcasing project activities in a visual format. The video drew significant attention from ATW 2024 participants. Yeongjoo LEE from the AFoCO Secretariat expressed appreciation, noting that Indonesia’s video was highly communicative. Wening Sri Wulandari, Head of Pustarhut, extended her gratitude to AFoCO for its continuous collaboration and partnership with Indonesia, particularly through the AFoCO/023/2021 project. “This cooperation has been incredibly valuable in supporting sustainable forest management, particularly in the development of non-timber forest products, rehabilitation, conservation of natural resources, and the formulation of standards. I sincerely hope this collaboration continues,” said Wening. The ATW 2024 also hosted the 1st AFoCO Project Photo Exhibition. Indonesia actively participated by submitting a photo titled “Watering and Growing New Green Hope among the Burnt Pine Stumps.” The photo, capturing a woman watering a young pine tree amid burnt stumps, won the Gold Award as the first-place winner. Opened by AFoCO Executive Director, Chongho Park, the workshop featured key sessions including progress presentations and discussions from cooperation project managers representing Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Timor Leste, Thailand, Mongolia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Kyrgyzstan. Accompanying the Head of Pustarhut at the event was Choirul Ahmad, Head of the Division for Instrument Standard Development and Forest Laboratory Management. ***
Korea Forest Service Field Visit: PuSTARhut Highlights the Role of Standardization in Peatland Restoration
Jambi, Tuesday, August 6, 2024 – The Center for Standardization of Sustainable Forest Management Instruments (Pustarhut) participated in the field visit of the Korea Forest Service (KFS) delegation to the restoration site of burnt peatland in Londerang Peat Protection Forest (HLG), Jambi. This visit was part of a cooperation program organized by the Korea-Indonesia Forest Cooperation Center (KIFC), an initiative based on the Cooperation Framework of the Priority Program on Forestry. The KFS delegation, led by Nam Song Hee, Director General of the International Affairs Bureau, visited to monitor the progress of the Restoration of Burnt Peatland in Jambi Project, which is now in its fourth year of implementation. The visit also served as an opportunity to explore future collaboration potential between Korea and Indonesia in peatland management and restoration. In her remarks, Nam Song Hee expressed KFS’s satisfaction with the restoration outcomes in Londerang, which achieved a 96% survival rate of endemic species. This remarkable success indicates that the selected endemic plants have adapted well to their restored habitat, marking a significant milestone in demonstrating the effectiveness of the applied restoration methods. On this occasion, Wening Sri Wulandari, Head of Pustarhut, stated that the best practices implemented in the peatland restoration could be replicated in other areas and used as a foundation for developing new standards. The proven technologies used in the project provide a strong basis for formulating standards for peatland management—an area with great potential for future cooperation between the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) and KFS. It is widely known that peatlands are among the most effective carbon sinks. The carbon stored in peatlands exists in a stable form, making long-term storage crucial for climate change mitigation by preventing the release of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Echoing this, Noor Andi Kusumah, Director of Peat Ecosystem Damage Control (PKEG), emphasized that monitoring and evaluation are key to the success of any restoration effort. Therefore, having a clear standard or guidance is essential to ensure consistent implementation. “This activity is a testament to the pentahelix collaboration model, involving government, communities, academia, the private sector, and media. Each element brings unique and complementary contributions,” he added. Also attending the event were the Head of the Jambi Provincial Forestry Office, representatives from the Jambi Environmental Office, the University of Jambi, the Bureau of International Cooperation of MoEF, Manggala Agni DAOPS IX Jambi, local Forest Management Units (KPH), and community members. The visit concluded with a symbolic tree planting ceremony to mark the end of the activity. ***
Teknologi Pengeringan Kayu
Indonesia Progress Report on HMP
