CNN - A chainsaw amnesty is protecting the rainforest in Borneo
For Health In Harmony, the focus on working with local communities is key to its work. “I think what I’m most proud of, working with this organization, is that we’re not deciding for local communities,” said Mahardika Putra Purba. 'We’re changing the way you can support these communities. It means that we recognize their voices and help with what is most needed.'
Thanks to CNN for shedding light on the Chainsaw Buyback program. Founded by Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI) in 2017 in Indonesia, Chainsaw Buyback supports those wishing to give up illegal logging to seek alternative livelihoods that do not damage the forest.
Swapping chainsaws for seedlings and business training has led to a significant fall in logging and an upshoot in organic farming, protecting the rainforest in and around Gunung Palung National Park in the process.