Press Release: ProFauna Urges the Indonesian Government To Stop the Deforestation in Kapuas, West Kalimantan

(08/09/2010) Deforestation of natural forests in Kalimantan or Borneo Island keeps happening and threatening the wildlife and local people. A logging company, PT. Toras Banua Sukses has received a renewal permit to operate in Kapuas forest which threats the habitats and survival of some endangered wildlife including: Orang utans, proboscis monkeys, and sun bears, and also causes disputes to the local tribal people who depend their livelihood on the forest. For these reasons, ProFauna is campaigning against the operation and urging the government to stop the deforestation.

The logging company received a renewal permit under Forestry Minister on 17 April 2006 for 24,920 hectares which is larger coverage for the previous permit which was granted on 19 February 2002 for 22,000 hectares. The 'deforestation' permit in Kapuas forest shows that the government is not serious in the conservation efforts of forest and wildlife. Kapuas region has declared to be the Region of Conservation meaning that deforestation there must be avoided.

In addition, the national government has officially put orang utan as a prioritized species in wildlife conservation. As stated in the 2007 - 2017 orang utan conservation action plan; 7,245 orang utans in West Kalimantan, live in several population blocks including Kapuas Region: the Swamp of Kapuas Upstream, and other locations like: Batang Ai, Sarawak; Lanjak Entimau ,Sarawak, Betung Kerihun, and Sentarum Lake. It is no doubt that one of the important approaches to conserve orang utan is by giving the species safe homes, on of which is in Kapuas forest, West Kalimantan.

The forestry permit to the logging company also causes problems for the local tribe of Kayaan, in Medalam area of Kapuas. According to ProFauna's monitoring for the last six months, the local communities have held three times of demonstration campaigns against the logging company. Furthermore, the locals have asked ProFauna to support them in saving the forests.

Moreover, the operation of the logging company is contrary to the forest and wildlife conservation efforts that have been carried out. Therefore, ProFauna advocates the Forestry Minister of Indonesia to annul the permit for Pt. Toras Banua Sukses in Kapuas and demand the government to take serious actions to conserve the remaining forests and wildlife. In its efforts, ProFauna staged a unique demonstration in Jakarta on 9 August 2010. ProFauna activists wore costumes made from leaves to symbolize the forests while carrying a banner saying "Stop Deforestation in Kapuas Kalimantan".

For further information, please contact:

• Swasti Prawidya Mukti

  (International Affairs Officer, ProFauna Indonesia)
  Email: international@profauna.net
  Mobile: +62 856 369 3611