HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE (HCV) AREAS AND BIODIVERSITY Why it matters Preserving our HCV areas and biodiversity is fundamental for BPlant. We recognise our duty to safeguard the ecosystem, prioritising water, air and soil conservation alongside the protection of biodiversity, including flora and fauna. These endeavours are vital to uphold the ecosystem’s critical functions that underpin our operations. BPlant’s Approach Before initiating any new activities, all of our operational units are mandated to undergo an Environmental Aspect Impact Assessment and evaluation to address any potential adverse environmental effects. Within these assessments, our conservation areas which encompass riparian and buffer zones, are meticulously identified, mapped, managed, and monitored across all operational units. We conduct regular assessments that are benchmarked against RSPO and MSPO standards, ensuring adherence to conservation protocols in designated HCV and biodiversity areas through continuous patrols. Zero Deforestation and Open Burning At BPlant, we strictly prohibit all deforestation and open burning activities especially on peat land within our operational and concession boundaries in line with our sustainability policy, aiming to prioritise the safety of our personnel and minimise climate impact. To enhance fire detection and prevention efforts as a large-scale plantation, we utilise the RSPO Hotspot Hub to detect hotspots originating from peat fires and open burning alongside potential fires in oil palm plantations within our operations. Upon detecting a hotspot within or near our concession, the RSPO GIS Team alerts BPlant, after which our Sustainability Secretariat takes action to respond to the incident. We have further devised a comprehensive fire prevention plan and implemented control measures with input from stakeholders within our boundaries. Emergency Response Teams have also been established at each of our operating units and trained in fire evacuation procedures. We recognise that preventing deforestation and open burning requires collaboration with surrounding communities. Therefore, we conduct internal and external awareness campaigns to educate stakeholders about fire risks and promote safety measures. Safeguarding the Environment Fire Hotspots Fire Detection (Number) g 2021 g 2022 g 2023 Number of Hotspots Detected Number of Confirmed Fires Number of Confirmed Fires within Concession Areas Number of Confirmed Fires Outside Concession Areas 9 7 4 6 7 4 1 0 0 5 7 4 In 2023, we documented a total of six confirmed fire incidents, with one occurring within the concession area and five outside it. Integrated Pest Management To mitigate the impact of our operations on the ecosystem, we are actively embracing biological control methods. Part of the methods used involves implementing integrated pest management strategies that reduces our reliance on chemical pesticides, thus mitigating the impact of our operations on the ecosystem. Our approach includes initiatives such as planting Vetiver grass to combat soil erosion, encouraging the growth of natural vegetation and Nephrolepis biserrata (tropical fern) to enhance water retention and bolster soil structure as well as employing barn owls for rat control within our plantations. At present, we have constructed nest boxes that are meticulously designed to optimise owl occupancy and breeding. These boxes are strategically installed at a ratio of one per 10 to 20 ha to support the population of barn owls. Boustead Plantations Berhad 156
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