Realitasonline.id — Abdya | In an effort to strengthen community-based nature protection and to highlight the vital role of women in safeguarding forests, Yayasan Hutan, Alam dan Lingkungan Aceh (HAkA) accompanied a delegation from the international organisation Daughters for Earth across a number of strategic areas in Aceh Province from 4 to 9 September 2026.

The three international representatives taking part in the global initiative — Zainab T Salbi (United States), together with Manuela Mattalana Hoyos and Carolina Garcia Arbelaez (Colombia) — travelled through Aceh’s landscapes to see first-hand the conservation practices carried out by local communities.

One focal point of the visit took place in Lhok Batee Intan hamlet, Padang Village, Manggeng Sub-district, Southwest Aceh Regency (Abdya), on Monday (7/9/2026), one of the key gateways to the Leuser Ecosystem (KEL).

At the site, the group trekked on foot for roughly three hours along the edge of the Mount Leuser ecosystem to observe forest cover conditions and to discuss the sustainable natural resource governance led by local residents.

The field visit in Abdya was warmly welcomed by regional officials and local stakeholders. Accompanying the team were the Speaker of the Abdya Regional House of Representatives (DPRK), Roni Guswandi; Manggeng Sub-district Head Ridhawiyardi; Padang Village Head (Keuchik) Muttalimin; environmental advocate from the Bineh Rimba Community Self-Help Group (KSM), TM Daud Yuska; and the Head of the Lhok Batee Intan Village Forest Management Institution (LPHG), Ridhiya Asmadi, along with local village institution officers.

On that occasion, the Speaker of the Abdya DPRK, Roni Guswandi, expressed deep appreciation for the attention international environmental advocates have given to Abdya’s natural potential and conservation efforts.

“The arrival of the Daughters for Earth delegation and HAkA is a great motivation for us in the regional government. The Leuser Ecosystem in Lhok Batee Intan is a valuable asset that must be protected together. We in the legislature are ready to support regulations and policy allocations that favour community-based forest conservation,” said Roni Guswandi.

Manggeng Sub-district Head Ridhawiyardi also affirmed the sub-district’s commitment to supporting environmental sustainability and the empowerment of local residents.

“We are very proud that Lhok Batee Intan in Manggeng Sub-district has become one of the focal points of this global visit. The presence of these international guests shows that our residents’ dedication to protecting the forest is recognised at the global level. We are ready to work together so that this nature protection programme runs in harmony with community welfare,” said Ridhawiyardi.

Meanwhile, the Keuchik of Gampong Padang, Muttalimin, warmly welcomed the group’s arrival in his village and voiced residents’ readiness to safeguard the Leuser landscape.

“As village leader, I welcome this visit. The people of Gampong Padang, particularly village institutions such as the LPHG, have long worked to keep the Leuser landscape intact. Our hope is that this collaboration brings positive impacts, both for forest conservation and for the economic progress of the village community,” said Muttalimin.

In addition, environmental observer TM Daud Yuska from KSM Bineh Rimba stated that the donor has pledged continued support in various forms to preserve the forests in the upstream area of ​​Manggeng District.

The Role of Women and Local Communities in the Spotlight

The Executive Director of HAkA, Farwiza Farhan, said the Daughters for Earth delegation’s visit aimed to understand and strengthen community-driven forest protection networks, particularly the involvement of women rangers.

“This visit is part of an effort to learn first-hand about community-based forest conservation practices and the vital role of women in environmental protection in Aceh,” Farwiza said in a statement.

Beyond exploring Lhok Batee Intan in Abdya, the six-day environmental tour by the HAkA team and Daughters for Earth also included Takengon/Mendale (Central Aceh Regency), where the delegation saw first-hand the work and dedication of women rangers in protecting mountain forest areas.

Beutong (Nagan Raya Regency) — agenda: meetings and interactive discussions with local communities on environmental management and mitigating threats of environmental damage.

Banda Aceh — agenda: reflection and evaluation discussions, along with the formulation of a sustainability strategy together with the HAkA management team.

Through synergy among global environmental advocates, local civil society organisations, and regional government bodies such as the DPRK and the sub-district administration, this visit is expected to broaden international support for the conservation of the Leuser Ecosystem — one of the world’s lungs and among the most valuable landscapes Aceh possesses.

This article originates from realitasonline.id and was published under the headline: “Focusing on Community-Based Conservation, Global Environmental Activists Explore the Heart of the Leuser Ecosystem in Lhok Batee Intan, Abdya.”