By Herp News
In what conservationists are hailing as a major breakthrough in efforts to protect Sumatra’s fast-dwindling lowland rainforests, the Indonesian government on Wednesday finally approved an ecosystem restoration license for more than 44,000 hectares (110,000 acres) of forest bordering Bukit Tigapuluh, a national park renowned for its rich wildlife.After
WWF map showing the new ecosystem restoration concession. The license granted to PT Alam Bukit Tigapuluh has been hotly contested for nearly a decade, with several companies vying for the right to manage the area. A major breakthrough came last year when WWF and Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), whose supplier RHM was a contender for the license, reached an understanding, paving the way forward for PT Alam Bukit Tigapuluh to win the concession.
The initiative should better secure critical habitat for endangered elephants, tigers, orangutans, rhinos, and tapirs in Bukit Tigapuluh, which is effectively an island amid large-scale deforestation across Sumatra. Satellite data shows that Sumatra lost more than half its lowland forests since 1985.Given the dire state of Sumatran forests, the development was immediately welcomed by conservationists involved with the initiative.”Sumatra has reached a tipping point in the fight to save its wildlife. Without adequate protection, many of the planet’s most iconic species face an uncertain future,” said Rainforest Trust CEO Paul Salaman in a statement. “This new purchase is a major step in the right direction. It demonstrates that concrete land protection can still be achieved in Sumatra in an economical and effective way.””This incredible place—where elephants, orangutans and tigers coexist in the wild—is also one of the most threatened,” said actor Leonardo DiCaprio in a statement. “Our work to protect this area is an example of what can be accomplished when concerned organizations, governments and individuals work together to create a future where both nature and people can thrive.” DiCaprio is a member of WWF’s board and the founder of the foundation bearing his name.
Sumatran tiger cubs. Bukit Tigapuluh is famous for its diversity of mammals, including Sumatran orangutan, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran elephant, Sumatran rhinoceros, Asian tapir, sun bear, siamang, Sumatran surili, Sunda loris, and clouded leopard, among others. Photo courtesy of WWF.
Sumatran elephants. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Baby Sumatran orangutan. Photo by Rhett A. Butler
Conservationists say the project offers the potential to help specific animal species, including Sumatran elephants that have suffered substantial range reduction and orangutans that are currently stuck in rehabilitation centers due to their habitat being destroyed for palm oil and pulp production.“If elephants have to live in hills within a national park they will simply starve to death,” said Leif Cocks, President of Yayasan Konservasi Ekosistem Hutan Sumatera (KEHUS), referring to the fact that most of Bukit Tigapuluh — which is also …read more
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In a country like India, where you can’t keep reptiles as pets, it is very rare for a snake lover like me to see an albino snake or else you really need a ‘strong luck’. As I said strong luck, I still can’t believe I was so lucky for a while when I saw this beautiful snake.
