The
Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) launched the Strategy and Action
Plan for Indonesian Orangutan Conservation 2019-2029 in Jakarta on Monday 12th
August, 2019.
“The document of
the Strategy and Action Plan for Orangutan Conservation 2019-2029 can be used
as guideline for all parties, including regional stakeholders, in developing
implementation plan,” said The Director General of Natural Resource
Conservation and Ecosystem, Wiratno, in the MoEF Press Release. “We now have a
good plan, so we need implementation. This document will be more beneficial if
it is implemented in the field.”
Wiratno also hoped that the implementation of this
strategy and action plan would gain support from all sectors, because up to 70%
of orangutan habitats are located outside of conservation areas.
Indonesia is home to at least 60,000 orangutans in Sumatra
and Borneo, living in habitats covering around 15 million hectares.
Pressure on populations and habitat destruction comes
from land clearing, human-wildlife conflict, illegal hunting, illegal trade,
and natural disaster; all these factors threaten both the habitats and
populations of orangutans. As a consequence, up to 77% of the meta-population
of orangutans will be threatened in the upcoming 100 to 500 years if they are
not preserved.
10% of orangutan populations are found outside of
conservation areas; they are located in areas such as production forests,
mining areas, and oil palm plantations. This has encouraged the government to
also stipulate Essential Ecosystem Areas (EEA) to ensure orangutan
preservation. EEA is an ecosystem outside a conservation forest area which is ecologically
important for biodiversity conservation, including natural ecosystems and
artificial ones, both inside and outside forest areas.
The launching ceremony for the Strategy
and Action Plan for Orangutan Conservation 2019-2029 in Jakarta was attended by
approximately 50 participants. Representatives from Scorpion Foundation also
participated in this event on behalf of FOKUS (The Forum for Sumatran
Orangutan).
Sumatran orangutan.
Bornean orangutan.
(all above photos are taken from the document of Strategy and Action Plan for Indonesian Orangutan Conservation 2019-2029)
Three representatives from FOKUS (Kusnadi, Siska, Ali Bangun Gea) participating in the launching of the document of the Oranguntan Action Plan in Jakarta, 12/08/2019. (Photo: Scorpion)
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Director General of Natural Resource Conservation and Ecosystem, Wiratno (no 3 from left on front row) and some participants of the launching ceremony. (Photo: Scorpion)
