One hectare of land of the former mine in Klaru village to be converted into a demonstration plot.

A barren desert. That is the impression of the thousands of hectares of a former gold mine abandoned in 2005 without being restored. The vast desert can be seen from the villages of Kamipang to Klaru, in the Katingan regency. The fertility of the soil on this degraded land is extremely poor, with low water absorption capacity, contamination by chemical elements such as mercury, making the land difficult to be converted for an alternative use.

Johansyah, 37, is a farmer and fisherman who, spent 10 years making a high risk living as an illegal miner in Klaru. “Apart from fearing death, I also felt sad looking at the size of the barren and abandoned land, of which I played a part. I kept wondering what the impact would be for my children and grandchildren,” Johansyah explained his reasons for quitting. “Looking at the condition of the land, we should not sit back. The land should be converted,” he added.

With the support of the Katingan Mentaya Project (KMP), Johansyah now manages one hectare of land of the former mine in Klaru village to be converted into a demonstration plot. The land now grows various agricultural commodities including nuts and vegetables. The conversion of the land is done with a minimal land management system, by fertilizing and turning the soil and by implementing environmentally-friendly planting methods. “Cashews grow quickest. I hope this plot can be productive and support the village economy, and make the land green again.”