Good news for orangutans as logging in Central Kalimantan halted

Hardi Baktiantoro, Director of Indonesia’s Centre for Orangutan Protection in Jakarta has raised urgent concerns that the palm oil company PT Nabatindo Karya Utama has been destroying pristine orangutan habitats in the forest of Cempanga in Central Kalimantan.

As a result of pressure from the Centre, the local government has announced a ‘hold’ on more forest clearing by the company in this area while the issue is investigated.

According to Hardi, the company was felling some 30 hectares of rainforest daily, which could have kill up to 50 orangutans per month if not stopped quickly,

The forest area is located beside Tumbang Koling a village 4 hours drive from Palangkaraya and has been legally bought by PT Nabatindo Karya Utama.

However, local Dayak communities are against the logging which is destroying their traditional livelihoods and sources of food and medicines.
Bureaucratic delays so far had  meant that while these complex issues were only slowly being addressed, logging was continuing.

Now it appears the area has at least won a respite. AOP congratulates the Centre for taking this stand. AOP assisted Hardi and his organisation with a grant to support this important work.

For further information:
Hardi Baktiantoro, Director, Centre for Orangutan Protection, www.orangutanprotection.com or

email orangutan@indosat.net.id Phone 08 1398229911