Joint management of the Essential Ecosystem Area Orangutan Corridor in West Kalimantan, Indonesia will guarantee protection, preservation and sustainable use of the area

The agreement for a joint management was reached during a meeting held on November 22, 2018 which resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding between the nine parties: Directorate of Essential Ecosystem Management (BPEE) MoEF, West Kalimantan Forest Agency, Bappeda Ketapang, PT Kayung Agro Lestari, PT Gemilang Makmur Subur, PT Laman Mining, Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), International Animal Rescue Indonesia (YIARI), and Tropenbos Indonesia (TI).

To achieve the protection, preservation and sustainable use the parties have agreed to develop and provide support for developing wildlife corridors inside the KEE, for sustainable production through landscape management and protection of investments, improve the function and role of communities surrounding the KEE.

This commitment comes at the right moment as a road has been developed through Bumitama Biodiversity and Community Project (BBCP) which is part of the KEE in the HCV area of PT. GMS. The road built by Laman Mining, one of the signatories of the MoU, is feared to threaten the sustainability of KEE as orangutan corridor. However, through this agreement, Laman Mining has agreed to stop its activities and provide its support to repair and restore the damaged KEE.

The KEE Orangutan Corridor in Sungai Putri - Gunung Tarak - Gunung Palung Landscape covers an area of 1,800 hectares and was designated as conservation area through the West Kalimantan Governor Decree No.718/Dishut/2017. "The area is very important as connecting corridor between Sungai Putri Peatland Forest and Gunung Palung National Park and as corridor for wildlife, especially orangutan," said Dr. Edi Purwanto, Director of Tropenbos Indonesia.