Embargoed until 12 February 2010, 10.00 WIB
Jakarta (12/02) - “The Year of Tiger 2010” public campaign has been kicked-off by WWF-Indonesia on Friday, 12 February 2010 in Taman Menteng, Central Jakarta. The Indonesian government, busness actors, artists and communities gathered in the event to voice their intention to save Sumateran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae).
During a joint press conference on Friday morning, Ministry of Forestry’s Director General for Forest Protection and Nature Conservation Ir Darori, M.M. expressed his appreciation to multi-stakeholders’ efforts for the conservation of Sumatran tigers, the last remaining species of Indonesian tigers, in which only some 400 tigers left in the wild.
“The document of action plan and strategy for Sumatran tiger conservation 2007-2017 which we have formulated together has brought hope that Sumatran tiger population will no longer be threatened in 2017. It can only be achieved through all stakeholders’ comprehensive understanding of Sumatran tiger habitat. So, conservation and development programme must complement each other and run in harmony,” said Darori.
He added, the Indonesian government’s efforts to conserve its biodiversity, especially tigers, has gained international recognition, “In the first Asian Ministerial Conference (AMC) for Tiger conservation in Bangkok, January 2010, Indonesia has been proposed by the World Bank to host next ministerial meeting to precede the Tiger Summit in Vladivostoc, Russia.”
Meanwhile, the State Minister for the Environment’s Deputy overseeing Environmental Management Ir. Hermin Roosita, M.M. reiterated governments’ commitment to safeguard sustainable development in Indonesia, “The Ministry for the Environment facilitates and safeguards the commitment of 10 Sumatran governors to the ecosystem-based Sumatra spatial planning. The integrated spatial planning in the island will save Sumatra ecosystem and its endangered species. It will deliver us from social conflicts, human-animal conflicts, disturbance of economic activities, as well as the loss of biodiversity,” she said.
Musician and WWF-Indonesia honorary supporter Nugie, called the Indonesian public to save Sumatran tigers, by starting to practice simple things, “Environmentally-friendly and wise behaviour, e.g. by minimising paper consumption, will help avoid further destruction of Sumatran tiger habitat,” he said.
According to Ian Kosasih, WWF-Indonesia Director of Forest, Freshwater and Terrestrial Species programme, “The Year of Tiger” campaign is run simultaneously by the WWF global network to mark Chinese lunar calendar new year on 14 February 2010. “WWF would like to appreciate all stakeholders for everything we have done together, especially for conserving Sumatran tiger. At the moment, we have joint collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry, the State Ministry for the Environment, the Ministry of Public Works, Sumatra Spatial Planning Forum (ForTRUST), Sumatran Tiger Forum, as well as some conservation activists’ forum, NGOs and local communities.”
The series of the event in Taman Menteng was also attended by some environmental groups, photographers, students, teachers, and Jakarta environmental enthusiasts. It is also scheduled to have Japanese photographer Hikaru Nagatake and Indonesian renowned photographer Jerry Aurum, along with WWF-Indonesia honorary supporters Nugie and Davina to be speakers in a talk show on environmental education and photography through Wonder Eyes programme. There would be performances featuring Barongsai/lion dance, theatrical action ‘Shaolin Panda Saves the Tiger”, Wushu martial arts, and live music featuring The Brandals, Endah-Resha duo, Ballads of the Cliche, and a cappella group ‘Jamaica Cafe.’

For more information, contact:

• Ir. Hermin Roosita, M.M. Deputy Minister of Environment (62) 021 8580111
• Dr. Ir. Harry Santoso Director of Biodiversity Conservation of Ministry of Forestry (62) 021 5720227
• Ian Kosasih, Director Forest & Species Program WWF-Indonesia +62 811110697

Notes to editor:
Detail schedule of Public Campaign Launching “The Year of Tiger 2010 on 12-13 Februari 2010 , click here