Dhanistha Surya Nusantara (DSN)

Dhanistha Surya Nusantara (DSN) is a privately-owned Palm Oil Plantation and processing company, headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia.

1) Foresthints article titled, “POIG member linked to drainage of peat restoration areas” (12 December 2018)

2) Foresthints article titled, “Musim Mas makes dubious claim about supplier” (21 February 2019)

3) Mighty Earth report titled, “Rapid Response Report 21” (06 November 2019)

(1) The article alleged that PT Banyu Kahuripan Indonesia, a part of Dhanistha Surya Nusantara (DSN) (in the article it was wrongly identified as belonging to Makin group), have exploited burnt peatlands, which have been targeted for restoration since mid-September 2016 by the Indonesian Peat Restoration Agency (BRG).

(2) The report alleged deforestation of 146 hectares by PT Sabhantara Rawi Sentosa (PT SRS) between 28 February – 25 October 2019.

July 2018
We engaged DSN in a meeting and briefed them on our sustainability policy and NDPE commitments. We also stressed the need for DSN to proactively address any issues that were not in line with our sustainability guidelines.

December 2018
We sought clarification from the DSN team on the (peat) issues raised in the Foresthints article.

February 2019
We engaged DSN in February 2019 to verify the allegations of development in BRG restoration areas. DSN provided evidence that the concession of PT BKI is not within the peat moratorium areas set by Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, KLHK.

DSN has also produced a soil survey report, conducted by an independent third party that showed that PT BKI is not within the peat areas.

DSN has engaged the Peatland Restoration Agency, Badan Restorasi Gambut (BRG) to clarify that the status of the area within PT BKI could be taken out from BRG restoration map. BRG has appointed the expertise for field verification. DSN will actively update Musim Mas on the process outcome. We will be following up with DSN closely and review the case within 90 working days.

November 2019
We engaged with PT SRS as soon as the report was released. PT SRS was very cooperative and provided clarifications and the supporting evidence. The evidence was verified by Musim Mas.

July 2018
DSN gave a detailed response to our queries and demonstrated a commitment to sustainable practices in its operations.

December 2018
DSN responded to our request for clarifications with cogent evidence of its compliance to Indonesia’s Plantation laws.

DSN also stated that it has a NDPE policy in place and follow the practices of the RSPO closely. It has demonstrated that it did not plant nor drain Peatland , nor did it interfere with the work of the Badan Restorasi Gambut (BRG). Furthermore, PT Banyu Kahuripan Indonesia have been taken out of the Peat Moratorium by BRG.

November 2019
PT SRS has provided us clarifications that PT SRS did not conduct deforestation of 146 ha in their own concession or in the cooperative’s concession (KKPA).

Based on our spatial analysis, it is confirmed that the land clearing was located outside the HGU of PT SRS’ concession (No. 220 – 221 Year 2016).