In the remote forests of Indonesia's Papua province, tribal people rely on sago - a starch harvested from palm trees - as a traditional staple food.

But their sago forests are in decline as companies expand commercial palm oil plantations in the province, in line with a decade-old government push to expand agriculture there, writes our correspondent Febriana Firdaus.

Communities say they have not been adequately consulted about the forest concessions or compensated for them, and that the decline in sago - and other environmental damage - threatens their food security and way of life.

"Corporations must obey the rules and respect the rights of local indigenous peoples, including the right to food," says Franky Yafet Leonard Samperante, executive director of Yayasan Pusaka, a local environmental NGO.

A growing number of businesses, from fashion firms to food suppliers, however, are looking for ways to profit while nurturing nature. 

Sustainability researchers report a surge of interest among companies in finding ways to limit the harm their operations do to the planet, as buyers demand greener products and scientists outline more clearly the threats to forests, water, soil, plants, animals, birds - and people.

"For decades we have been trying to get companies on board ... but in the past six to 12 months, I have never seen so much interest," says Eva Zabey, executive director of Business for Nature, a coalition lobbying for stronger government policies and more corporate action.

At least 400 firms have signed up to international commitments to protect nature, and more than 1,200 companies are already taking some steps in their operations, she says.

That ranges from cashmere buyers helping Mongolia's goat herders get more production from fewer animals to food producers adding "biodiversity plots" to farms as a way of helping threatened pollinators.

"The key message is that your business can't continue to have negative impacts while still expecting to benefit from the positive aspects of biodiversity," notes Cath Tayleur of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.

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