By: Nur Arinta

Forest is the habitat of the Sumatran Tiger. A Sumatran Tiger has a range of 60 - 100 km2, which means it takes 100 km2 of forest to be home to a Sumatran Tiger. The total population of Sumatran Tigers in the wild is now 371 individuals, based on the lowest limit of the International Union Conservation Union (IUCN) population range. You can imagine how much forest would be needed to house this charismatic big cat.

The high rate of clearing of forests that are home to Sumatran tigers and other protected species, for plantations and industry is due to the increasing demand for wood industry commodities, such as hardwood and tissue. WWF-Indonesia in collaboration with Hakuhodo Creative Agency conducted a study on the use of tissue in urban communities. The results of the study prove that there are 54 percent of Indonesians who live in big cities, and have a habit of spending three sheets of tissue to dry their hands every time they finish washing their hands.

"People are not aware that their excessive use of non-FSC-labeled paper towels can contribute to the destruction of forests in Indonesia. The use of tissue products that are not environmentally friendly will encourage the expansion of plantation forest areas by clearing natural forests for protected animal habitats such as tigers," said Aditya Bayunanda, Director of Policy, Sustainability and Transformation.

To change habits that have an impact on forest degradation in Indonesia, which is the habitat of these protected animals, WWF-Indonesia invites the Indonesian people to change the habit of wasting tissue by clapping every time they finish washing their hands to dry their hands, as a form of effort to support the conservation of the Sumatran Tiger and its habitat.

To celebrate Global Tiger Day 2017, WWF-Indonesia in collaboration with Central Park Mall, Neo Soho Mall, Senayan City Mall, Kuningan City Mall, the Plaza Balik Papan, APL Tower, and Soho Capital launched the #30claps campaign. The launch of the #30claps campaign was held on July 28, 2017 at the atrium of Neo Soho Mall, Jakarta. This campaign invites the public to clap 30 times, #30claps to dry hands without using paper towels every time they finish washing their hands.

General Operation Manager of Central Park Mall and Neo Soho Mall, Selvyn said "as a shopping destination in the Jakarta area that is very concerned about the sustainability of natural life, we invite mall visitors to participate in the #30claps movement to dry their hands after activities in the toilet." Selvyn also explained, "We will start the movement by placing a #30claps sticker in every restroom as a reminder. And at the end of the year, we will count the number of paper towels we have saved."

Currently, the number of paper towels needed at Central Park Mall, Neo Soho Mall, APL Tower and Soho Capital reaches 2,250 kg. This campaign is targeted to reduce tissue usage by 60 percent within the next six months. In addition to doing #30claps, visitors can also participate directly to save the Sumatran Tiger by adopting the Tiger Papier Mache on display or donating through the Sumatran Tiger-shaped piggy bank which is placed at several points in Neo Soho and Central Park.