In the heart of Melawi, rivers once ran clear and forests stretched unbroken. Villages here live on the edge of these ecosystems, relying on them for food, water, and survival. But today, those same rivers carry mercury from illegal gold mining, and forests are giving way to expanding palm oil estates. In this part of Kalimantan, communities face a difficult balance: securing livelihoods without losing the land and water that sustain them.
Read MoreThe excitement and challenges of new partnerships
Late at night, we find ourselves on the patio of the village head. Jino, one of Planet Indonesia’s longest-serving team members, arranges coffee cups and cigarette boxes to represent a bridge. The bridge is a metaphor to explain that Planet Indonesia does not bring ready-made solutions but rather helps strengthen local ideas and initiatives (cup 1) by connecting them to technical expertise and government programs (cup 2).
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