Forest Monitoring

HAkA monitors forest loss in the Leuser Ecosystem Area and Aceh Province regularly through satellite image analysis tools and also conducts ground checking using drones and the GFW - Forest Watcher application.

Monitoring is a critical component of HAkA’s conservation strategy. The organization systematically observes and tracks changes in forest cover and land use within the Leuser Ecosystem using advanced technologies such as Planet satellite imagery and GFW – Forest Watcher remote sensing. HAkA has access to satellite imagery with a resolution of up to 3 meters and daily updates with Level 2 Planet imagery from NICFI. This continuous monitoring allows HAkA to detect threats early, assess the effectiveness of conservation interventions, and adjust strategies as needed. The collected data is rigorously analyzed and used to inform conservation actions, guiding decision-makers with accurate and up-to-date information on the state of the ecosystem. Through this scientific approach, HAkA ensures that its conservation efforts are evidence-based and adaptable to respond to emerging challenges. Our data has been published on the data portal acehdata.digdata.id

GFW Training to Combat Deforestation and Strengthen Forest Monitoring

For six years, the HAkA Foundation has received support from WRI to deploy Global Forest Watch (GFW) in Aceh. Focusing on empowering local stakeholders with GFW tools for effective forest monitoring and law enforcement, HAkA has conducted 74 training activities and trained over 1,600 participants from government, NGOs, students, police, journalists, and local communities, resulting in all forestry institutions in Aceh being familiar with GFW. Notably, HAkA maintains a commitment to gender inclusivity, with 232 women trained.

This training session was designed to strengthen monitoring capabilities in critical areas, with a focus on providing essential training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Forest Watch (FW) to forestry agencies, law enforcement personnel, and community groups. Additionally, drone operations were introduced to support field activities, particularly in field inspections and validation of deforestation efforts. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of local actors to effectively combat deforestation and illegal forestry activities.