Since 2007, Yayasan Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI) has been running an integrated healthcare and forest conservation program in North Kayong Regency and Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan Province. This program does not stand alone; it is part of a holistic approach now globally known as Planetary Health.

The Planetary Health concept emphasizes the interconnection between human health and the health of nature. ASRI's health program is designed to serve forest-edge communities while also supporting them as the front line of conservation. The program's key innovation is a payment mechanism for medical treatment using tree seedlings, which are then planted in degraded forest areas.

Tree Seedling Planting Achievement 2009–2025

According to the ASRI 2025 Annual Report, from 2009 to 2025, more than 700,000 tree seedlings in West Kalimantan have been planted within the Gunung Palung National Park area by the Gunung Palung National Park Authority together with ASRI. Approximately 175,000 seedlings — or one quarter — were obtained from patients treated at ASRI Clinic.

Most of these seedlings are collected by the ASRI team during their Mobile Clinic trips. On each transport journey, the ASRI team can carry up to 1,000 tree seedlings originating from Mobile Clinic patients. The round-trip journey from the ASRI office to the collection point takes a total of 7 hours.

Tree Seedlings as a Public Health Investment

The healthcare payment system using tree seedlings has proven to provide real benefits for both communities and the environment. One such patient is Mrs. Kartika, a Mobile Clinic patient from Pangkalan Jihing Hamlet, who regularly comes for treatment with her family. She said that this payment method greatly eases the financial burden of medical treatment for her family. Moreover, the seedlings she pays with not only have economic value but also contribute directly to forest conservation efforts. Thus, this program serves as a concrete example of a sustainable public health investment, because every tree planted from these seedlings helps preserve the ecosystem for future generations.

Pre-Planting Process: Nursery and Care

Not all collected seedlings are planted immediately. ASRI applies a standard operating procedure involving care in a nursery unit for 2–3 months after receiving the seedlings from patients, until the seedlings reach a height of 40–60 cm for dry forest areas, and 80–100 cm for peatland planting. These heights are standard measurements based on reforestation experience. This helps seedlings survive competition with weeds for light, water, and nutrients. In 

Collaboration with Government and Community Involvement

The planting process is carried out collaboratively. Since 2009, ASRI has actively supported the Gunung Palung National Park Authority's efforts to re-green the National Park area. The Park Authority provides assistance in determining planting locations, planting schedules, and post-planting monitoring. In addition, ASRI also directly involves local communities in nursery care, seedling transport, and planting in forest areas.

This collaborative model ensures program sustainability and a sense of ownership among communities toward the conservation area.

Ecological Impact: The Return of Wildlife

Monitoring results show that reforestation areas have demonstrated significant restoration of ecological functions, as seen in camera trap footage from 9 observation points spread across Laman Satong Village (Ketapang Regency) and Sedahan Jaya Village (North Kayong Regency).

Based on data from the 2020–2025 period, at least 51 species of wild animals have been recorded returning to these reforestation areas. Identified species include: hornbills, sun bears, orangutans, various small mammal species, primates, and others. The presence of these species is an important indicator of the recovering structure and function of lowland tropical rainforest ecosystems.

Closing

The achievement of over 700,000 tree seedlings planted and 51 wildlife species returning to their habitat is tangible proof that healthcare services for forest-edge communities, when integrated with conservation efforts, can deliver measurable ecological impact. On Earth Day, this achievement also serves as a reminder that human health, public health, and ecosystem health are one inseparable unit within sustainable development.