In a move to bolster environmental sustainability and support local economic opportunities, APP Group's business unit, PT Arara Abadi, joined forces with Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to release Baung fish into the Payongek River, located in Kesumbo Ampai Village, Bathin Solapan District, Bengkalis Regency.
This initiative was conducted in collaboration with the Bathin Sakai 8 & 5 Sungai Jeneh communities and builds on APP’s partnership with BRIN’s Center for Applied Zoology.
This restocking program, part of a broader partnership established in September 2023, is designed to protect and restore aquatic biodiversity while providing sustainable, long-term benefits for local communities. By balancing ecosystem restoration with economic empowerment, the program is expected to bring ecological stability to the Payongek River while fostering livelihood opportunities for the local population.
.png.jpg)
The Baung fish release initiative aligns with APP Group’s Desa Makmur Peduli Alam (DMPA) Program, which supports environmental sustainability while helping communities achieve economic resilience. The program encourages sustainable practices that reduce the risk of forest and land fires and supports APP’s ongoing efforts to create a positive social impact.
APP Group's Corporate Social and Community Engagement Head, Agung Wiyono, highlighted the partnership’s significance: "We hope that this collaboration can have a real impact in developing sustainable solutions that benefit local communities and preserve aquatic ecosystems. The release of Baung fish is an important part of our efforts to create a balance between the economy and the environment.”
Baung fish, native to Indonesia, hold high ecological and economic value, making them an ideal species for reintroduction into the Payongek River. This restocking activity, led by PT Arara Abadi, is intended to strengthen the river’s biodiversity and provide sustainable fishing opportunities for local communities.
BRIN’s Applied Zoology Research Center Germplasm Conservation Researcher, Otong Zenal Arifin, expressed BRIN’s commitment to conservation, stating, “This release is a concrete step in the conservation of local aquatic species, especially the Baung fish. PT Arara Abadi plays an important role as an implementer in the field. Through this program, we are trying to involve the community in maintaining the sustainability of natural resources in their area.”
This initiative brings together local stakeholders, including Bathin Sakai community members, government representatives, and environmental organizations, to ensure the program’s success and maximize its impact on the environment and local livelihoods. Community members and leaders alike expressed their gratitude for the project, which promises to boost local fish populations and provide economic advantages through sustainable practices.
M. Nasir, Chairman of Bathin Solapan, commented on the partnership’s value, saying, “We are very grateful and welcome the initiative of PT Arara Abadi and BRIN in this Baung fish release activity. PT Arara Abadi is a friend of our Bathin Sakai. This program not only helps restore the local fish population but also provides economic opportunities for our community. We hope that this kind of cooperation will continue for the welfare and preservation of the environment in our region.”
