Forest, Coastal and Wildlife Conservation

About Semesta Tanah & Air (SEMATA)

SEMATA (Semesta Tanah & Air) is a local Indonesian NGO based in Medan, North Sumatra. SEMATA INDONESIA focuses on forest and coastal conservation (especially mangroves), and the protection of protected terrestrial wildlife. SEMATA INDONESIA also applies the OECM approach to safeguard conservation areas outside of officially designated protected areas.

Programs of Semesta Tanah & Air (SEMATA)

SEMATA INDONESIA is committed to protecting tropical forests, coastal areas, and protected wildlife through community approaches and data-driven innovation.

Protecting the Remaining Tropical Forests

Tropical rainforests are the lungs of the earth and home to thousands of endemic species. Under pressure from land conversion and logging, SEMATA INDONESIA supports indigenous communities and farmers living around forests to preserve them through participatory mapping, restoration programs, and customary-based protection.

Protecting Wildlife in Their Natural Landscapes

Sumatran elephants, tigers, and rhinos are currently under significant pressure due to habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict. SEMATA INDONESIA promotes the protection of habitable landscapes for protected wildlife through community conservation approaches and spatial data-based wildlife monitoring.

Mangrove and coastal ecosystems are not only natural bulwarks against the climate crisis, but also a source of livelihood for fishermen and fish farmers. SEMATA INDONESIA works with coastal communities to restore mangroves, develop a blue economy, and build a technology-based early warning system.

Strong Coasts, Self-Sufficient Communities

Our Conservation Projects

SEMATA INDONESIA develops conservation programs in various important landscapes of Indonesia with a community-based, science-based, and sustainability approach.

Tangkahan – OECM & Community Development

In the heart of the Leuser Ecosystem (Leuser Buffer Zone), SEMATA INDONESIA assists the Tangkahan community in independently managing forests outside the official conservation area through the OECM (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures) approach.
This program includes:

• Strengthening forest community institutions

• Locally-Based Ecotourism

• Conservation patrols & mapping of customary areas

Kurandak – Conservation of Nature & Coastal Ecosystems

On the Kurandak coast, SEMATA INDONESIA works with fishermen and farmers to restore mangrove forests, protect coastal areas from abrasion, and preserve marine biodiversity.
Main activities:

• Participatory mangrove rehabilitation

• Sustainable and sustainable coastal silvofishery

• Conservation education for coastal youth