POLICY
JAKARTA (FORESTHINTS.NEWS) - As Indonesia celebrated its 75th Independence Day, Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya reaffirmed her determination to prevent Sumatran, Tapanuli and Bornean orangutans from going extinct and expressed her continued optimism about protecting these critically-endangered species and their habitats to the greatest extent possible.
She conveyed this in a policy dialogue held shortly after the independence day celebrations had ended some of the main messages of which were previously reported by FORESTHINTS.NEWS (Aug 18).
“Our optimism about these three types of orangutans not going extinct is not imagined, but is supported by evidence on the ground," said Minister Nurbaya.
The minister explained that the Sumatran orangutan population - which stands at more than 13,000 and growing - continues to live in the Leuser Ecosystem, which mainly includes the Gunung Leuser National Park, Rawa Singkil wildlife reserve, and several palm oil concessions.
The two photos below show Sumatran orangutans in the Leuser Ecosystem, the only place on earth where these orangutans live and a co-habitat with Sumatran tigers, elephants and rhinos, substantial parts of which are included in the permanent moratorium map.
Minister Nurbaya also emphasized that Tapanuli orangutans do not face extinction despite the hydropower development project underway in a minor part of the newly-discovered species’ habitat.
“The ministry team continues to carry out regular monitoring of the Tapanuli orangutan landscape, particularly on its population which is estimated to number fewer than 800 individuals. The evidence clearly demonstrates that these orangutans are not threatened by extinction," she elaborated.
The evidence referred to by the minister is the well-distributed good forest cover which still predominates in the Tapanuli landscape, as well as the permanent moratorium in significant areas of the landscape which provide sufficient space for the growing population of Tapanuli orangutans.
The following two photos are from the ministry's monitoring report on the existing Tapanuli orangutan landscape, which Minister Nurbaya said would see a continually growing orangutan population.
Minister Nurbaya also reasserted that Bornean orangutans, whose population totals over 57 thousand and growing, will not go extinct either.
“Bornean orangutans are found in considerable numbers in conservation areas and protection forests, including in forestry and palm oil concessions. Clear evidence also shows that these Bornean orangutans will not go extinct,” she explained.
The two photos below of Bornean orangutans, which Minister Nurbaya reiterated will not go extinct, are also taken from the ministry's regular monitoring report.
“The permanent moratorium map also covers significant parts of the Bornean orangutan habitat," she added.
Minister Nurbaya pointed out that her work is not based on perceptions designed by certain parties to undermine Indonesia, but based on evidence.
“We need to look at existing landscapes using an evidence-based approach with a comprehensive and representative time-series," she asserted in conclusion.
RELATED STORIES
POLICY
JAKARTA (FORESTHINTS.NEWS) - As Indonesia celebrated its 75th Independence Day, Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya reaffirmed her determination to prevent Sumatran, Tapanuli and Bornean orangutans from going extinct and expressed her continued optimism about protecting these critically-endangered species and their habitats to the greatest extent possible.
She conveyed this in a policy dialogue held shortly after the independence day celebrations had ended some of the main messages of which were previously reported by FORESTHINTS.NEWS (Aug 18).
“Our optimism about these three types of orangutans not going extinct is not imagined, but is supported by evidence on the ground," said Minister Nurbaya.
The minister explained that the Sumatran orangutan population - which stands at more than 13,000 and growing - continues to live in the Leuser Ecosystem, which mainly includes the Gunung Leuser National Park, Rawa Singkil wildlife reserve, and several palm oil concessions.
The two photos below show Sumatran orangutans in the Leuser Ecosystem, the only place on earth where these orangutans live and a co-habitat with Sumatran tigers, elephants and rhinos, substantial parts of which are included in the permanent moratorium map.
Minister Nurbaya also emphasized that Tapanuli orangutans do not face extinction despite the hydropower development project underway in a minor part of the newly-discovered species’ habitat.
“The ministry team continues to carry out regular monitoring of the Tapanuli orangutan landscape, particularly on its population which is estimated to number fewer than 800 individuals. The evidence clearly demonstrates that these orangutans are not threatened by extinction," she elaborated.
The evidence referred to by the minister is the well-distributed good forest cover which still predominates in the Tapanuli landscape, as well as the permanent moratorium in significant areas of the landscape which provide sufficient space for the growing population of Tapanuli orangutans.
The following two photos are from the ministry's monitoring report on the existing Tapanuli orangutan landscape, which Minister Nurbaya said would see a continually growing orangutan population.
Minister Nurbaya also reasserted that Bornean orangutans, whose population totals over 57 thousand and growing, will not go extinct either.
“Bornean orangutans are found in considerable numbers in conservation areas and protection forests, including in forestry and palm oil concessions. Clear evidence also shows that these Bornean orangutans will not go extinct,” she explained.
The two photos below of Bornean orangutans, which Minister Nurbaya reiterated will not go extinct, are also taken from the ministry's regular monitoring report.
“The permanent moratorium map also covers significant parts of the Bornean orangutan habitat," she added.
Minister Nurbaya pointed out that her work is not based on perceptions designed by certain parties to undermine Indonesia, but based on evidence.
“We need to look at existing landscapes using an evidence-based approach with a comprehensive and representative time-series," she asserted in conclusion.
RELATED STORIES
