By Masayu Yulien Vinanda

Palangkaraya (21/02)- As an effort to improve awareness toward orangutan conservation, WWF-Indonesia Central Kalimantan Project launched a story book titled “Sang Pemelihara Hutan (literally meaning “The Forest Keeper”), in Palangkaraya Mall, Monday (21/02). This 32-page creative communication media tells a story about the life of orangutans in Kalimantan forest as well as features their challenges in sustaining their existence.

Keynote remarks from Head of Natural Resources Conservation Agency Central Kalimantan Province Ir. Mega Hariyanto and Head of Forestry Office Central Kalimantan Provinsi Ir. Sipet Harmanto officially opened the book launching.

“Approximately 82.1 % of Central Kalimantan covers forested area. This condition encourages us to incorporate the sustainability of forest and its resources in every development program conducted in the Province. The existing number of conservation area also posseses rich biodiversities which can provide many ecological services. They can be potentially developed for the community’s welfare particulary those who live in or around the forest. However the lack of data and information acknowledging the forest existence has resulted in poor utilization of forest resources,” Harmanto stated.

Furthermore, he expected, through the story book of orangutan produced by WWF and Natural Resources Conservation Agency of Central Kalimantan Province, the young generations would gain more knowledge and deeper concern toward the high biodiversities in Central Kalimantan particularly its unique and priceless peat swamp forest and its key species, for instance the rare primate, orangutan.

“Government, NGOs, communities, and young generations need to strengthen synergy in order to support the Province ambitious goal to become “Green Province” with sustainable development as the foundation,” he emphasized.

The book launching was also enlivened by a talkshow presenting Head of Natural Resources Conservation Agency of Central Kalimantan Province Ir. Mega Hariyanto, WWF-Indonesia Central Kalimantan Program Manager Rocenda CH. Kasih, WWF-Indonesia Flagship Species Coordinator Chaerul Saleh, and musician-cum-activist who is WWF-Indonesia Honorary Supporter Nugie.

“Orangutans play significant ecological role. They operate as the chief distributor of seeds throughout the forest, a vital function in maintaining the balance and sustainability of the ecosystem. There are thousands of fruits and other plants-which are also crucial components of the forest, depend on orangutans for the dispersal of their seeds. Therefore, orangutans need to be conserved to ensure the existence of forest itself,” Saleh said.

Meanwhile WWF-Indonesia Central Kalimantan Program Manager Rocenda CH. Kasih, underlined three major factors threatening the extinction of orangutans. First is the habitat loss as a result of illegal logging practices, forest fires, and forest conversion into palm oil plantations. Other factors are illegal trade and poaching and climate change.

“Climate change is one of the threats faced by orangutans. Research conducted by WWF has identified that climate change is estimated to be a serious threat to the conservation of orangutans, particularly in the food shortage. It happens because the mating process of the plants is hampered due to the increase of the climate and rain which leads to the decrease of fruits as their source of food. An example of simple action is by conducting reforestation activities,” She added.

The WWF-Finland-funded orangutan book will then be distributed to a number of schools in Central Kalimantan as campaign media on orangutan conservation.