The research team conducted field studies to collect data and assessed the characteristics and diversity of flora. The study revealed that there were many endemic species in the Dipterocarpaceae family such as Shorea sp. (around 14 percent), Eusidexylon zwageri (9 percent) and Shotea lamellata (6 percent). Carbon stock in the area was also estimated and analyzed. Plants which contribute to the carbon trap in the area are composed of Shorea sp. (35 percent), Shorea lamellate (21 percent), Eusideroxylon zwageri (16 percent), Ficus sp. (12 percent) and Pasartocarpus bracteatus (12 percent). Local people were engaged in the research team during the field study. Key individuals in the communities were interviewed to determine local wisdom in the utilization of various plants. Plants are mainly used for medicine (46 percent), handicrafts and building (21 percent), food (16 percent), ceremony decoration (14 percent), poison (1 percent) and others (2 percent). Using this information, samples of plants were collected for cultivation at Purwodadi Botanical Garden. After mining operations are complete and during the rehabilitation of the area, the removed top soil will be back-filled and these cultivated plants will be used to replant, accelerating the restoration of the area’s ecology post-mining. Continuous monitoring will be employed, together with genetic analysis of the flora in the rehabilitated site. Conclusions The results from the study will be useful for mine rehabilitation and establishment of the community consultation programme. The programme will facilitate biodiversity enrichment by maximizing socio-ecological functions, serving the needs of communities while enhancing community awareness to preserve, and sustainably managing biodiversity richness. The biodiversity study programme is being conducted from 2010 until 2017. When the mine rehabilitation model is finished, the community consultation programme will also play a major role in biodiversity enrichment for the post mining areas. The potential activities are cultivating, re-planting, monitoring and maintaining the post-mining area. A major lesson is that engagement with host communities from the beginning of the project definitely helps the company understand their needs and enhance the partnership for rehabilitation in the future. On the other hand, the communities also gain the benefits from the sustainable use and management of biodiversity. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The company wishes to acknowledge the research team from Purwodadi Botanical Garden, Biological Sciences, Natural Resources and Environment Department, Ir. Solikin, MP, Destario Metusala, Siti Sofiah, Koeswojo, Sri Wuryanti, Suef and other contributors for collaborating and consulting the biodiversity study at Bharinto. REFERENCES Purwodadi Botanical Garden. 2010. The Progress Report Plants and Habitat Diversity Study of PT. Bharinto Mine. ENCOURAGING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITIES FOR BIODIVERSITY 55
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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