More details on protecting the Leuser Ecosystem

What will my donation achieve? 

It will help us gain legal protection and management rights over two crucially important lowland riverine concession blocks in the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra, Indonesia, which is the prime habitat of Critically Endangered  Sumatran orangutans, tigers, elephants and  rhinoceros.

Acquisition and restoration of the proposed site will remove the immediate threat of land clearing, poaching of all key species and the longer term threat of habitat loss. 

How do you acquire rainforest in Indonesia?

Securing rainforest ecosystems in Indonesia is extremely complex.  Neither Indonesians themselves, nor foreign individuals or entities can purchase forest concessions, it belongs to the Indonesian Government and can only be ‘leased’ or managed under a Memorandum of Understanding. Actual land purchase is only available for small pockets of forest, usually of little conservation significance.

However, in a landmark decision in 2015, the National Investment Board of Indonesia gave approval for a new designation of land use, the Ecosystem Restoration Concession (ERC).  ERCs are 60 year licenses (with a 99 year option) which the Indonesian Government provides us, along with irrevocable powers of attorney and permanent right to use agreements. 

The Orangutan Project and partners have now helped to establish a number of Indonesian entities which have the legal frameworks in place to lease and manage land, and establish community-driven agroforestry initiatives to ensure the long-term viability of the ecosystems. 

We have established Ecosystem Restoration Concessions in central Sumatra and have submitted applications for new licences in Kalimantan and now the Leuser Ecosystem. 

Our aims in this critical ecosystem are -

1. Protect viable populations and habitat of key species including Sumatran tiger, Sumatran rhinoceros, elephants, and orangutans.
2. Secure and protect high conservation value rainforest. 
3. Establish sustainable economic enterprises so that the project will be economically sustainable.
4. Stop poaching, illegal logging and encroachment. 
5. Develop and maintain sustainable human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies.
6. Empower local communities and reduce their dependence on forest crime by providing alternative sources of living. 

How much do you need?

Based on our previous Ecosystem Restoration Concession land acquisitions it is anticipated that the cost of $1M AUD will be needed to undertake all leasing and legal and administrative requirements for legal acquisition and for operational costs over the first year of legal protection.

Help us secure our first 70,000 hectares by clicking here - your donation will be matched!