Research conducted by an independent team has concluded that activities carried out by PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) do not pose a risk to the existence of the peatland forest in the Kampar peninsula in Pelalawan regency, Riau.

Researcher and remote-sensing expert from the Indonesia Peatland Association (HGI), Mahmud Raimadoya, said the latest measurements using georadar and geoelectrical technology indicated that the depth of peatland forest in the RAPP concession area was no more than 5 meters.

In the buffer zone, bordering the concession area with the core Kampar peninsula area, the measurements showed that the depth of the peatland ranged between 8 and 10 meters.

“The latest data refutes the claim from several parties that the presence of RAPP threatens the existence of the Kampar peninsula because it has grown peat to a depth of 20 meters,” Mahmud said in Pekanbaru recently.

According to Mahmud, the depth measurement of peat was carried out at the RAPP location on the Meranti Estate in Kampar peninsula from Aug. 25 to 28.

“The depth of peatland has always been a topic of debate due either to the lack of standard measurement methods or official data for reference. So far, measurements were only carried out by drilling, a lengthy process and the results of which could only be verified by conducting field studies,” he said.

“Consequently, technology is being used to eliminate uncertainty. With georadar and geoelectrical technology, the thickness of peat in a vast area can be measured in a moment, without damaging the soil layer. The outcome of the measurements is recorded automatically so it can be accounted for scientifically,” he added.

According to Mahmud, the depth measurement of peatland, involving the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) aims to end the controversy in the international community, which often claims that the map of peatland in Indonesia is unreliable.

“Measurements using both technology and manual methods have been compared and the results are consistent,” Mahmud said.

“The data measurement in the form of two-dimensional graphics is very accurate. The latest outcome will be conveyed and followed up at an international forum in October. Some people might suggest another measurement method, but we cannot deny the accuracy of the results from the georadar and geoelectrical measurements
carried out at the Kampar peninsula,” he added.

The peatland depth measurement will also serve as input for the Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) team formed by the Forestry Ministry in 2010 to verify charges by NGOs that forest conservation was absent in the Kampar peninsula.

“The wetland map is apparently accurate in describing peatland, but it cannot be used to determine the depth of peat. However, the depth of peat is crucial to determining carbon emissions,” said MRV team secretary Basuki Sumawinata, who is also a peatland expert at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture.

Verification conducted by the MRV team since the middle of 2010 on land managed by RAPP also showed peatland conservation remained sustainable thanks to water management using eco-hydro technology.