Ex situ biodiversity conservation through Development of Biodiversity Park by private sector: Lesson learnt from Aqua Danone Group, Indonesia

Abstract

Gunawan H, Sugiarti. 2015. Ex-situ biodiversity conservation through Development of Biodiversity Park by private sector: Lesson learned from Aqua Danone Group, Indonesia. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 565-573. Biodiversity conservation is a collective responsibility and its implementation is a consequence of sustainable development principle that has been applied by Indonesia Government. Aqua Danone Group is a multinational company which produces bottled drinking water has been participate and contribute to the sustainable development through “Aqua Lestari Programâ€. In line with the sustainability, Aqua Danone Group has also participated in a program award of company performance in environment management (PROPER). One of the prerequisites to achieve green category in PROPER award is biodiversity conservation action. For those reasons, Aqua Danone Group has developed Biodiversity Parks (Taman Kehati) in Babakan Pari and Mekarsari Sukabumi Regency), Lido and Ciherang (Bogor Regency). The objectives of biodiversity park development are to collect and cultivate life specimens of threatened flora, to provide habitat for animals, to produce seedlings and genetic resources of local tree species, to provide an area for education, research, and development, science and ecotourism, to provide green open area and increasing vegetation land cover. Biodiversity Park development is including planning, development and management and monitoring, supported by environment education, conservation campaign, training and empowering local communities. The existence of Biodiversity Park in industrial area and settlement gave positive impact to biodiversity, environment, and community through increasing diversity index of flora and fauna, providing amenity and aesthetics, and enabling environmental education for students studying at schools in the vicinity of the park.