WWF - Conservation and environmental news & publications: Indonesia

The dream of a rainforest transfrontier reserve in the Heart of Borneo: cross-border expedition Betung Kerihun-Batang Ai/Lanjak Entimau

2013-05-24

(by Albertus Tjiu, M. Hermayani Putera and Syahirsyah)

In 1994, a transboundary conservation area of almost one million hectares was established on the island of Borneo. Covering important tropical forest habitat, this area is the last remaining natural forest in an area that has been greatly altered; much of it has been converted into timber concessions and oil palm plantations. Vital for the future of biodiversity on the island, the area includes two conservation areas in Sarawak, Malaysia; Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary (LEWS) and Batang Ai National Park (BANP), and Betung Kerihun National Park (BKNP) in West Kalimantan, Indonesia.

WWF-Indonesia's new book, Communities and Conservation: 50 Inspiring Stories from WWF to Indonesia, is a celebration of WWF-Indonesia's 50-year journey as a conservation organisation. Eighteen of the fifty stories featured in the book are from the Heart of Borneo and all the stories show the effectiveness of conservation when indigenous peoples, their knowledge and practices, are involved in decision-making processes. This is also reflected by the following story on the cross-border expedition organised in collaboration between Indonesia and Malaysia, long before Heart of Borneo Initiative was born in mid 2000.

Indonesia and Malaysia cooperating on a transboundary reserve

In 1973, the Indonesia and Malaysia governments jointly recognised the conservation values of the Betung Kerihun and Lanjak Entimau reserves. Integral to Borneo's central ecological corridor, these areas cover parts of West Kalimantan (Betung Kerihun) and Sarawak (Batang Ai/Lanjak Entimau). They share many traits including the beauty of the landscape, important watersheds, cultural traditions, and endemic flora and fauna.

Following this, in 1993, the Committee on Forestry between the governments of Indonesia and Malaysia agreed to pursue "Joint Cooperation in Developing a Transfrontier Reserve". Supported by The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), this cooperation further reflected the importance of transboundary biodiversity conservation as well as joint protected area management between Indonesia and Malaysia.

A year later, the Indonesian government designated Betung Kerihun Nature Reserve as a National Park. With a management plan the next step required to achieve the vision and mission of Betung Kerihun National Park (BKNP), the Indonesia Ministry of Forestry (Agency of Forest Protection and Environmental Conservation/PHKA), together with the Indonesia Institute of Science (LIPI) and WWF-Indonesia, collaborated to develop a 25-year management plan. To develop the plan, valuable information on the social, natural and cultural conditions of the area was necessary leading to many research activities undertaken during 1996-1999 including a "Cross-border expedition Indonesia-Malaysia" field trip. The trip involved researchers, international and local experts, National Park staff, NGOs and local communities.

Cross-border expedition Indonesia-Malaysia

The first stage of the expedition took place over September 1997 and focused on the Embaloh watershed in Kapuas Hulu District, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. In November 1997, a second stage of the expedition was in Sarawak, specifically Miri, Nanga Bloh.

The expedition delivered valuable data on forest types, botany, medicinal plants, primates, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and socio-economic aspects on forest communities. A number of commonalities between the two conservation areas were discovered including landscape, plants and animals, ways of living and cultural backgrounds and beliefs, specifically those relating to nature. These findings made it even more important to manage the area as one transboundary conservation area.

An example; in the Betung Kerihun area, the team identified 900 samples of palms and orchids, around 29 families and 157 species of birds, and at least 86 species of fish. Researchers identified five forest types: lowland dipterocarp forest, hill dipterocarp forest, sub-montane forest, montane and summit ridge habitats. Primates found included Presbytis frontata, P. rubicunda and Hylobates muelleri, orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus), and macaques species (Macaca nemestrina and M. fascicularis). The expedition also revealed around 200 varieties or species of plants useful to the local Iban and Tamambaloh people.

The expedition discovered an appalling amount of data on ecology and botany and collected many specimens including new records, rare and new species. In Betung Kerihun, at least three new species found, wild banana (Musa lawitiensis),palm (Pinanga bifidovariegata) and a fish named after one river in the park, Embaloh River, species of ray-finned fish Gastromyzon embalohensis. The whole findings are recorded in "Scientific Report - ITTO Borneo Biodiversity Expedition (1997)", published in 1999.

However, due to the limitation and field constraints, the expedition in the Betung Kerihun NP was not fully covered the whole area of the park. The expedition recommended further biodiversity surveys to reveal more of the undiscovered treasure of Betung Kerihun's natural richness.

Community involvement in the expedition

One of the toughest challenges for participants during the expedition was the weather conditions. In 1997, the El Nino phenomenon had caused very dry weather in Borneo with burning and deforestation activities in many parts of the island bringing thick, poisoned air and smoke that covered the whole of Kalimantan.

Such conditions meant that the expedition was very nearly postponed; the team in charge of logistics had a difficult time ensuring they could support and provide transportation to the researchers in the field. The original plan to use helicopters to distribute supplies via the hill of Bukit Condong (997 metres) failed as visibility had dropped to a mere 3 metres which was too dangerous. Strong determination and unflagging support from the local communities made it possible to carry all equipment and supplies by hand to Bukit Condong so that the expedition could be completed.

Anthropologists and socio-economists formed part of the expedition, studying income-earning strategies and social structures of local communities. For example, for local people in Danau Sentarum, a nearby conservation area where much of the community earns a living from fishing, the conservation of forests in Betung Kerihun, which is within the same watershed, is an important way to sustain their fishing activities.

The study also revealed that perception of local people towards forest conservation is reflected in the conservation of the natural forests surrounding their settlement areas, areas they call kampung galao (in Iban) or toan palalo (in Tamambaloh).

Community involvement in conservation area management

Securing the support and participation of local communities in park management is important because local people use these areas and are highly dependent on them for their livelihoods. Additionally, conservation budgets are limited and park ranger resources are spread thinly. The local wisdom of these communities helps to create a sense of belonging, promoting friendly relationships and enhancing cooperation. To ensure effective participation, governments conduct education and awareness programs to enhance local communities' knowledge about joint protected area management and biodiversity conservation.

Developing joint social and economic activities between local communities in BKNP, LEWS and BANP is feasible as they share many common values in terms of culture, traditions and ways of life. Shared benefits can be delivered through combined ecotourism activities and by joint community-related projects which can provide options for alternative income.

This program is also having an impact beyond the immediate conservation area. Some members of surrounding communities have requested that forests under their customary rights be maintained under the new conservation status and included in future extensions of the protected areas.

In 1998, a provincial workshop held in Pontianak recommended the change of previous name of the conservation area, from Bentuang Karimun to Betung Kerihun. This proposal was based on information from community that the park lies in between two mountains, that were wrongly spelled previously, Mt. Betung on the west side and Mt. Kerihun on the east side.

Lasting impacts of the cross-border expedition

The expedition was a new milestone in cross border cooperation between Sarawak and West Kalimantan, it was also a stepping stone in international forestry cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia. Many publications, reports and popular media, including the International Borneo Biodiversity Expedition (IBBE) ITTO, covered the expedition and its findings with the results having an impact on the worldview and understanding of many stakeholders in the culturally and naturally rich Heart of Borneo.

After the expedition and management plan were produced in 2001, the Indonesia Ministry of Forestry, ITTO and WWF signed a MoU to begin the second phase of the project "The Implementation of Community-based Transboundary Management Plan for the BKNP Phase II". This phase focused on the integration of community-based conservation as well as a longer term plan for the BKNP, including the development of an effective management system in the cross border conservation area.

These cross-border activities will continue to be an important part of biodiversity conservation on the island of Borneo.

Indonesia-Malaysia joint conservation action timeline

1973    the Indonesia and Malaysia governments jointly recognised the conservation values of the Betung Kerihun and Lanjak Entimau reserves
1994    a transboundary conservation area of almost one million hectares was established on the island of Borneo
1993    the Committee on Forestry between the governments of Indonesia and Malaysia agreed to pursue "Joint Cooperation in Developing a Transfrontier Reserve"
1997    September - first stage of "Cross-border expedition Indonesia-Malaysia" focusing on the Embaloh watershed river basin in Indonesia
1997    November - second stage of "Cross-border expedition Indonesia-Malaysia" in Sarawak, specifically Miri, Nanga Bloh
2001    Indonesia Ministry of Forestry, ITTO and WWF signed a MoU to begin the second phase of "The Implementation of Community-based Transboundary Management Plan for the BKNP Phase II"
2003    Head of the district declared Kapuas Hulu the first Conservation District in Indonesia
2004    Indonesia and Malaysia formally submitted a proposal to UNESCO to designate the 3 conservation areas as the first ever transboundary World Heritage Site
2007    Heart of Borneo Three Countries Declaration, signed on 12th February 2007

Making a difference: Research as an advocacy tool in the Kayan Mentarang conservation area

2013-05-02

Fifty stories celebrating WWF-Indonesia's fifty years of working with communities in conservation....

WWF-Indonesia's new book, Communities and Conservation: 50 Inspiring Stories from WWF to Indonesia, is a celebration of WWF-Indonesia's 50-year long journey as a conservation organization.

Emerging strongly from that long journey and all the stories in the book is the lesson that communities are on the front line of conservation and need to be key partners in conservation. Conservation is a key factor in sustainable development, and indigenous and local peoples need to be made part of the process as key partners and beneficiaries.

Eighteen of the fifty stories are from the Heart of Borneo, but all the stories show the effectiveness of conservation when indigenous peoples, their knowledge and practices, are involved in the decision making process. This is also well illustrated by the following story on the Kayan Mentarang conservation area, which in 2002, became the first national park in Indonesia to implement community-based collaborative management.

Making a difference: Research as an advocacy tool in the Kayan Mentarang conservation area

Research has often been regarded as a rather expensive and intellectual endeavor, with often little concrete benefits for those 'studied'. This was not the case however in the Kayan Mentarang National Park area in the Heart of Borneo where research contributed to a key policy change in favor of a stronger role of local communities in conservation management. The results of the research program, "Culture and Conservation' became a decisive factor in support of the change of status of the Kayan Mentarang conservation area from strict Nature Reserve to National Park in 1996.

The Kayan Mentarang conservation area, in the far interior of East Kalimantan, is the largest protected area of rainforest in Borneo and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. The area is considered to be one of the world's ten biodiversity hotspots, with disproportionately high levels of species diversity in a relatively small area. However, what is unique and special about the Kayan Mentarang area is the history of the natural landscape that is deeply intertwined with the history of its people. Extensive archaeological remains in the area are witness to a long history of human settlement.

Nowadays, about 21,000 Dayak people live in or near the conservation area, depending on swidden agriculture, wet rice farming, hunting, fishing, collecting and trading of forest products to fulfill their subsistence and other needs.

The C&C research program

A research program that lasted seven years in the interior of Indonesian Borneo, from 1991 to 1997, Culture and Conservation (C&C) was born of the collaboration between the Ford Foundation and WWF-Indonesia in order to: "document and support traditional rights of tenure and local resource management ... and contribute to the cultural history and the forest ecology of the region."

The program based its methodological approach on social science research, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques, and the fieldwork experience of the anthropological tradition.

Over thirty researchers including experts and students from Kalimantan, Indonesia and international researchers shared their expertise, skills and disciplinary knowledge to produce a multi-perspective and comprehensive study of both present and past patterns of resource use and people-forest interactions in changing social, economic, and environmental circumstances of the interior of Borneo over time.

The historical contextualization was expected to shed light on circumstances and events that might have important impact on future decisions for the management of the conservation area and the social and economic development of the surrounding region. It was also under this program that the first experiments with community maps took place, which later developed into the community mapping program, an innovative and successful approach allowing the documentation of local people's knowledge and decisions about land and resource use, as well as their claims to those resources.

It was these conditions that made its status as strict nature reserve (since 1980) as unsuitable, unjust and also potentially unsustainable. The C&C program set out to look at the possibility that the success of nature conservation could be dependent upon the preservation of indigenous cultures and, mostly, the maintenance of traditional practices of land tenure and natural resource management.

The research results first established that the communities in the national park area were still "customary communities" (masyarakat adat), largely regulated by customary law in the conduct of their daily affairs and the management of natural resources. This was an essential point with regard to the long-term management goal of the area and the need to involve local communities in conservation.

The extensive documentation on land tenure systems and regulations for the exploitation of forest resources helped bring the issue of customary rights to the attention of government officials and justified the efforts to seek official recognition for communities' communal claims. The research also showed that the role of traditional institutions, presently reflected in institutions, like the customary council (lembaga adat) and the customary chief (kepala adat), was key to understanding the communities' views of rights and the way they deliberate on issues of forest management as well as social responsibilities.

Several researchers described aspects of what is usually referred to as an "indigenous management system," or the ability of local people to use, alter, regulate, and restore land and other natural resources in their environment. The outcome of their research provided important evidence that local people's agricultural practices are not intrinsically destructive of the environment but rather draw on knowledge and deep understanding of its micro-dynamics. The wide range of forest plants and crop varieties used by local communities also suggests a high degree of biodiversity that has been managed and intentionally maintained for centuries. The research program has shown that only community participation and inclusion can ensure the sustainability of the Kayan Mentarang National Park and help reduce land encroachment by companies and outsiders.

The overall outcome of the research program represented a powerful rationale for the government to designate Kayan Mentarang National Park as the first national park in Indonesia to implement community-based collaborative management in 2002. It was also a strong recognition of the role of customary communities and practices in the sustainable and equitable management of natural resources for conservation and the wellbeing of local right holders. (By Cristina Eghenter)

View from Canopy - HoB Newsletter April 2013 issue

2013-04-19

'View from the canopy' does not feel like such an appropriate title for this month's update. Whilst my last missive gazed ambitiously over the treetops of the potential future of the Heart of Borneo, this month finds me far below the canopy, tangled in the roots of complexity involved in implementing such a challenging project!

This is not to say it is any less fun, nor that significant progress is not being made. March in particular was an important month, with the annual shareholder meeting helping shape the foundations of the next strategic plan. The final plan is not due to be ready until July, but a skeleton structure is already starting to take shape, with social issues set to take a more prominent role in the future. These were seen by many to be an essential complement to the continued focus on government and private sector.

As I see it, the Heart of Borneo vision is the equivalent to a commitment to build a futuristic 'eco-house'. WWF wants to see this happen in the best way possible, and to do so we need to work with the architects that design it (government policies) and the contractors that interpret the plans to build it (the private sector). But these activities could be pointless if we do not also engage with the people that will ultimately live in it and own it (the HoB communities).

The future strategy will not only feature changes in conservation emphasis, it will also need to recognize a shift in the role WWF plays. The Heart of Borneo is now a clearly government-led initiative. WWF helped get the ball rolling, it now needs to find the best way it can facilitate the process into the future. With this in mind I have spent much of my recent time with the government agencies that lead the Heart of Borneo. In particular I have spent a significant amount of time in Brunei, partly in response to their request for WWF assistance in preparing for the trilateral meeting they will be hosting later this year. During this time I have learned what an important part of the HoB vision Brunei might represent.

Geographically speaking, Brunei plays a relatively minor role, with less than 2% of the Heart of Borneo within Brunei territory. However, Brunei has a potential value to the Heart of Borneo disproportionate to its size. To begin with, the forests that Brunei does have are some of the most important in Borneo. Thanks to rich oil reserves, which account for 98% of national revenue, Brunei's forests have remained largely untouched by the economic forces that have dominated elsewhere. Brunei is now one of the only places in the world where you can drive on a tarmac road right into the middle of primary rainforest within a couple of hours from the capital city and recent expedition data suggest that some of these forests are among the most bio-diverse in the world. The importance of these forests has been quickly recognised by the Sultan and his government who play an active role in the trilateral agreement and have designated over half the country as 'Heart of Borneo' - a brand now known across the nation.

But Brunei's potential contribution to the Heart of Borneo vision could be even more significant. Some may argue Brunei's near-unique economic status means what happens in Brunei has little relevance for how to conserve the rest of Borneo's forests. I would argue the opposite. One of the underlying problems for conservation is the difficulty of capturing the value of the environment in decision making. An Indonesian bupati faces a very difficult decision when forced to choose between forest and oil palm. A plantation can offer clear and immediate benefits through employment, tax revenue and infrastructure. A forest might have a higher value in theory, through the ecosystem services it generates, but in practice it is hard to realize these values in immediate, tangible forms. The bupati is under pressure to make quick decisions and to provide clear benefits to his electorate – often the plantation is the only rational choice he can make in the circumstances. Brunei does not have such pressures. Brunei has the freedom to 'experiment' with its forests, to work out how to capture the value of the water that flows from them, the carbon they sequester, the genetic resources they contain. Some ideas will fail. But the ones that succeed could represent the models for the rest of the Heart of Borneo to follow. If Brunei can demonstrate how a forest can generate benefits on a sustainable basis, future bupatis on the other side of the Heart of Borneo might finally have a genuine alternative to consider.

I cannot write about Brunei without also writing about Dato' Dr Mike Kavanagh, who this month ended his role as WWF's primary representative in Brunei. Mike has not only been instrumental in helping Brunei develop its impressive Heart of Borneo programme, from helping write the Bruneian action plan to helping establish their first ever Wildlife Division, but he was also one of the original visionaries who got the trilateral Heart of Borneo concept off the ground in the first place. During our handover I witnessed the huge affection and esteem in which he was held in Brunei as dignitary after dignitary, thanked him for his work and expressed their hopes he would return soon. The hole he will leave behind will certainly be a challenge for me to fill and I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to him for all the work he has done.

One day in the life of Maija Kaukonen

2013-04-18

She may live all the way over in Finland but Maija Kaukonen is very much connected to the Heart of Borneo.

As a Forest expert with WWF Finland's International Development program, Maija is responsible for coordinating WWF Finland's role in the Muller-Schwaner project, a project Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been funding for almost 6 years.

Working closely with WWF Indonesia, Maija tries to visit the project site at least once each year. The distance between the two countries can make things a little difficult: "one challenge is to have enough time amongst my other work to have regular communication with Indonesian colleagues and to do more," Maija says.

But working with such motivated and enthusiastic WWF Indonesia staff makes life easier.

"When I visited the HoB last year, I was amazed how our field officers and colleagues are doing amazing work since it's so difficult to travel around over there, distances are long, you have to use a plane, car, boats and walk to get to the remote villages. Still our colleagues have the motivation and enthusiasm doing this difficult work. I truly respect their effort!"

"It's very rewarding to hear success stories from our Indonesian colleagues and especially the project field officers. The work that our project people are doing together with some forest concession companies close to the HoB borders, mapping orangutan habitats, developing orangutan management plans and implementing FSC-certification is very rewarding!"

Creating a pathway to a green economy in the Heart of Borneo is a key part of the work being conducted on the Muller-Schwaner project.

"It's important to be able to truly implement green economy activities on the ground and show decision makers it's really possible to make things differently. We also want to show these examples in Finland to make people understand that we need different solutions for our planet's future."

"People in Finland are very interested in rainforests and unique species such as orangutans and the Borneo pygmy elephant," Maija says.

"The HoB is a very important area in terms of biodiversity, as a home to indigenous people, for its cultural values and as a water tower of the Borneo Island. As the degradation of our planet's natural places are rapidly accelerating, it's very important to understand the amazing values that the forests and other natural places in the HoB have. They are extremely unique to this planet and people should be very proud of that!"

It's not all work and no play. Last year Maija stayed in a village in the Heart of Borneo area of Central Kalimantan who had arranged a welcoming ceremony and party.

"First we were all covered with lotion and powder while people were singing and dancing and then later on the dancing went on for several hours without any breaks! Although I was exhausted in the end of the day after all the dancing, it was really unique experience!"

Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil scheme: a mandatory tool to promote sustainable development in the Heart of Borneo (HoB)

2013-04-18

The Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil scheme (ISPO) is set to play a bigger role in the sustainable development of Indonesia's palm oil industry in the HoB, following a recent seminar in Jakarta, organised by the Forestry Division of the Indonesian Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Around 13 government sectors including local government representatives from Kalimantan attended the event, as well as private sector business, farmer and grower association members and NGOs. The seminar canvassed options for speeding up the implementation of the ISPO system – which the government hopes will be up and running by the end of the 2013.

Opening the Seminar, Forestry Head, Musdalifah said the Indonesian government was striving to promote sustainable use of natural resources through sector policy development and the development of mandatory certification schemes such as the ISPO for palm oil and SVLK (Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu - Timber Legality Assurance System), a scheme equivalent to FSC, for timber.

Speaking at the seminar, Dr. Sulmin Gumiri, from Palangka Raya University in Central Kalimantan, said that ISPO could be used as a tool for good governance at the local level. He noted that the establishment of local policy and regulations that enable ISPO implementation could be part of the government's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Adding that if ISPO was successfully implemented in the HoB as a 'governance KPI', this could encourage other places such as Sumatra or Papua - areas of heavy-oil palm plantation - to replicate the system.

He said local government involvement in ISPO implementation could also be useful in promoting other developments needs, such as provincial spatial planning, zoning on suitable areas for oil palm development, and monitoring the status of plantation company licenses in the HoB area.

Dr Gumiri added that the implementation of ISPO in the HoB area would also be good for Indonesia's international image.

"Successful ISPO implementation in the HoB, an internationally recognized area, would help build a positive reputation for Indonesia," he said.

Implementation problems

Fadhil Hasan, from the Indonesian Palm Oil Association, outlined some common problems with implementation of the certification scheme, particularly in the area of legality and best practice management.

Hasan said unresolved provincial spatial planning issues, especially in East Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan provided ample scope for regulatory disputes. Other problems included lack of capacity to develop a company's conservation or green house gas emission mitigation programs, and the high cost of certification which made it financially very difficult for many small and medium-scale companies and small-holders to pursue.

Dr Gumiri responded by saying that the local government's role was vital in this area. He proposed options such as local regulation to protect smallholders, local government to issue recommendations to Certification Bodies, and regular coordination meetings between government and private sector members to promote best practices and information exchange.

In closing the seminar, Musdalifah concluded that it was a most fruitful workshop, with lively discussion and lots of constructive ideas emerging to assist Indonesia to move forward on the issue of sustainable palm oil. Fruthermore Musdalifah stated, "I believe that the HoB will be a good model upon which to implement ISPO, especially now that the Indonesian government is accelerating ISPO implementation and the HoB is promoting sustainable development within its boundaries."

WWF Supporter Trip to Sebangau National Park, the Gate of the Heart of Borneo

2013-04-10

From 17-20 May 2013, WWF-Indonesia will organise "Supporter Appreciation Trip" to the Sebangau National Park, the gate to the Heart of Borneo, in Central Kalimantan. The participants of trip will be taken to explore the peatland forest, follow day-to-day field activities done by our field staff and our partners, tree planting and to find out orangutan nest, and if possible the wild orangutan! Trip will be closed by taking participants to enjoy the culture of Dayak people at the Isen Mulang Festival, which has been a regular, annual activity organised by the government of Central Kalimantan Province.

The Sebangau National Park, 568,700 hectare in size, is a 'biodiversity bank' to more than 800 species of flora, 15 species of mammals, 182 species of birds and 54 species of snakes. The vegetation on Sebangau peatland is very specific and serves as valuable economic resource, both timber and non-timber forest products, such as rubber, rattan, herbs etc. The park is a home to Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus), Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus), Owa (Hylobates agilitis), hornbills, clouded leopard, long-tail macaque, etc. More about Sebangau National Park

The Sebangau National Park is surrounded by 46 villages populated by more than 61,000 people with various background of culture, ethnic and is rich of local wisdom. Through this trip, WWF Supporters will be able to see rattan harvesting and fire football attraction performed by local villagers.

This trip is open for public. Participant should be at least 20 years old, physically and mentally health. WWF-Indonesia is offering two packages: Ticket and Non-ticket. The Ticket will cover Garuda roundtrip airfare Jakarta-Palangka Raya, local transportation, trip insurance, meals and accomodation, WWF t-shirt and cap plus trip guidebook, and "MyBabyTree" donation package. If you're an active WWF-Indonesia Supporter, IDR 1 million will be discounted from the price!

So, are you ready to have a trip of a life-time adventure to the heart of Borneo? Call (021)-5761076 or email to supporter-service@wwf.or.id. Registration will be closed on 1 May 2013. Hurry up, limited seats only for 9 people!

New species discovered in Brunei's Heart of Borneo region

2013-04-10

A two-year bio-diversity study of Brunei's Sungai Ingei Conservation Forest (SICF) has revealed several new species to science and several more never before recorded in Brunei.

Located on the south west of Belait District, bordering the Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, just 30km from the World Heritage Site of Mulu Caves, Sungai Ingei has been shown to be one of Brunei's major wildlife strongholds.

Led by Dr Joseph Charles from the University Brunei Darussalam (UBD), the study was carried out by scientists from the three Heart of Borneo countries - Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.

"The purpose of this scientific study was to produce a database for the country so that future conservation management of wildlife can be well formulated," said Dr Charles, speaking at the February launch of an exhibition of the study's findings at the Empire Hotel, in Brunei Darussalam.

The SICF is a small area of 18,491 hectares, yet the survey revealed a huge number of faunal species including: 35 species of fish (six being new records for Brunei), 38 species of amphibians, two new species of frog-biting midges, 12 reptile species, 14 species of birds and 97 mammal species (including 28 species of bats).

Comparisons between SICF and other forest areas in the region, such as Kayan Mentarang National Park in Kalimantan, Maliau Basin Conservation Area in Sabah, and Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, reveal that the Sungai Ingei shows the largest mammal species diversity, despite its small size.

Discussions are already underway around a proposal to link SICF with Mulu National Park in Sarawak, thereby achieving a trans-boundary milestone under the Heart of Borneo Initiative committed to by the three governments in 2007.

According to Brunei's Heart of Borneo Centre, Acting CEO, Mahmud Hj Yussof, Sungai Ingei's rich bio-diversity has the potential to contribute greatly to the economy and individual livelihoods, particularly in the area of eco-tourism. "By having ecotourism or nature tourism, we do not have to clear the forest, we just need to conserve it and promote it by recognizing its biodiversity values," he said.

The study had the backing of his Royal Highness, Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, who spoke during the Heart of Borneo Seminar, highlighting the richness of Brunei's pristine forests and noting the country's potential to become a world class centre for tropical forest research.

Standard Chartered Bank, were major sponsors of the survey and speaking at the exhibition, its CEO, Ms Lai Pei-Si, expressed her satisfaction at the results indicating that the bank would continue to support HoB Initiatives in the country.

The Sungai Ingei Conservation Forest survey was also supported by a number of other partners including Brunei Shell Petroleum, HSBC, Panaga Natural History Society and Brunei Nature Society.

Sumatran rhino footprints found in Borneo

2013-03-31

Sendawar, Indonesia -- A team from WWF-Indonesia has found fresh footprints resembling those of a critically endangered Sumatran rhino in the Heart of Borneo (HoB) area of East Kalimantan, Indonesia, the first time in over two decades that traces of the elusive rhino have appeared in the area.

To confirm the presence of the rare animal, a second team comprised of WWF-Indonesia, the West Kutai Forestry Agency, Mulawarman University and local observers launched a follow-up survey that found more evidence of rhino footprints, active mud wallows, marks on tree trunks, and signs that the rhinoceros species had been feeding in the area.

The survey team also identified more than 20 plant species rhinos feed on in abundance in the area, including Dillenia supruticosa, Glochidion glomemerulatum and Nblia Japanica. The abundant food and the overall natural conditions of the area further support the findings.

"This is a very important finding to the world, and especially to Indonesia's conservation work, as this serves as a new record on the presence of Sumatran rhinos in East Kalimantan and especially in West Kutai," said Bambang Noviyanto, the director for biodiversity conservation at the Forestry Ministry.

"Information surrounding the presence becomes important to draft strategies to protect the population, if it is found to be viable and breeding, and to educate [people living around] the habitat where [traces] of rhinos have been found," continued Bambang.

Experts taking part in the survey stated that no visual sighting has been made to date, and also cautioned that it is still too early to confirm whether the signs were made by a group of rhinos or just one remaining individual.

Sumatran rhinos in Kalimantan were presumed extinct in early 1990s. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the rare animal as Critically Endangered, with a population of fewer than 275 individuals now living in the wild.

Commenting on the findings, WWF-Indonesia conservation director Nazir Foead said, "WWF-Indonesia together with all stakeholders will conduct a follow-up and more comprehensive survey to map rhinos' habitat preference and their population in West Kutai."

"Based on the result of this survey, joint strategies and comprehensive and holistic action plans need to be immediately formulated."

Nazir further stated that the conservation plan and efforts for Sumatran Rhinos needed to be long-term, and therefore sustainable funding was needed, partly to ensure that the work also benefit people living around the rhinos' habitat.

The head of the West Kutai district, Ismael Thomas SH. M.Si, said, "Rhinos, dolphins, clouded leopards and local buffalo are among God's creations that are getting rare, but apparently they're still alive in West Kutai". Ismael added, "We must protect them, and the communities must live in harmony with nature."

According to Ismael, the West Kutai administration is committed to protecting rhinos, and will immediately issue a law on Endangered Animal and Plant Protection.

In partnership with WWF Indonesia, the local government will form a team to study and investigate the presence of the animals, to decide on precise conservation policies and programs, as well as sources of funding to support efforts to protect rhinos.

APP suppliers pulping new bid for sustainability credentials in Kalimantan?

2013-03-27

Pontianak, West Kalimantan – NGO observers have claimed that pulp timber suppliers to controversial paper giant Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) are continuing to log tropical forest and dig drainage canals through peat soils in Kalimantan, regardless of the new Forest Conservation Policy (FCP) launched with much fanfare by APP and parent group Sinar Mas last month.

APP, noting that the suppliers have denied breaching requirements of the FCP, is investigating a complaint lodged by the Consortium of Kalimantan's Forest Monitoring NGOs (RPHK)

Over the same period that heavy machinery was apparently engaged in logging and dredging on the two concessions , representatives of both APP and the two supplier companies hosted a meeting 80 km away in provincial capital Pontianak to convince sceptical local NGOs that the FCP was not yet another company greenwashing stunt.

APP has previously announced an end to tropical forest pulping in 2004, 2007 and 2009. On February 5 it hosted a gala announcement that it had halted tropical forest clearing on its own and independent supplier concessions throughout Indonesia on January 31, with heavy equipment impounded pending independent assessment of conservation values and above ground carbon.

RPHK members, who were among those present at the February 26 meeting in Potianak, lodged a complaint on the basis of extensive photographic and video evidence of the work on concessions of PT Asia Tani Persada (ATP) and PT Daya Tani Kalbar (DTK), two of the four companies disclosed by APP as West Kalimantan suppliers to its mills in devastated Sumatra.

RPHK observers familiar with the areas of the two concessions said they contained orang-utan habitat. The promised assessments would have examined whether and where orang-utans are still present.

"We are really concerned to see how heavy equipment is still actively clearing natural forest, digging peat canals and clearing the land in the two supplier's concessions in West Kalimantan. This is a clear violation of the APP's FCP that APP socialized in Pontianak on 26 February," said Baruni Hendri, a spokesperson of the RPHK consortium.

"Our findings showed that APP is not taking their conservation policy seriously, thus making RPHK doubt APP's seriousness on the implementation of their commitment."

APP has issued a statement that "Our policy is clear - there would be no natural forest clearance anywhere in our supply chain and every supplier has been advised of he policy details."

"We contacted the suppliers and both have strongly indicated that they are not in breach of our policy and that the likely cause is concession boudaries that overlap with other industries."

WWF-Indonesia, a member of RPHK with local NGOs, has called on APP and its parent, the giant Sinar Mas Group, to quickly close a loophole allowing mills to continue accepting "stockpiled" mixed tropical hardwoods for an indefinite period, nominating May 5 as giving ample time to clear stockpiles. The evidence of current clearing vindicates concerns that freshly cleared timber will continue to be "laundered" into pulp mills.

"We call on global buyers of pulp and paper to remain skeptical and await independent verification by independent NGOs of the credible field implementation of APP's FCP before making any new purchasing decision," said Anton P. Wijaya, Director Executive of WALHI (Friends of Earth Indonesia) chapter West Kalimantan.

Member groups of the Consortium of Kalimantan Forest Monitoring Volunteers (RPHK) able to provide information in English are WWF-Indonesia (Contact : Ian Hilman, +6282121868624, ihilman@wwf.or.id), and TITIAN, an active biodiversity conservation institute for local community sustainable benefits in West Kalimantan (Contact Director, Sulhani +62561-6589198). Other member groups include AKAR, an illegal wildlife crime monitoring network in Borneo, actively raising public awareness about the importance of wildlife protection and their habitat; JPIK Kalimantan Barat, a civil society network that focuses on monitoring effort of the sustainable forest management for Forest Plantation Wood Production Permit; Link-AR Borneo (Lingkaran Advokasi dan Riset), a civil society organization focus on advocacy based on research or investigation related to land plunder and biodiversity degradation, as well as community empowerment ( www.linkarborneo.com); SAMPAN (Sahabat Masyarakat Pantai), a civil society organization focus on advocacy for costal and watershed communities (www.sampankalimantan.org) and LEMBAH, an active institute in Bengkayang District for social and economic empowerment based on environment.

Photos and videos of this issue can be accessed through:
www.linkarborneo.com and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o54C3jf6PLYRPHK.

PT. Dwimajaya Utama in the Heart of Borneo (HoB) receives FSC certification

2013-03-19

PT. Dwimajaya Utama will be the 7th company actually located in the HoB to receive FSC certification. This successful outcome for PT Dwimajaya Utama came following a two year independent audit that looked at the concession operational process and then worked together with stakeholders to formulate a management plan to harvest timber with lesser impact to the forest's health and to plant more trees than are cut down; while avoiding displacing native people and harming wildlife and habitat.

Tom Maddox, Leader of WWF HoB Global Initiative, congratulated PT Dwimajaya Utama for having achieved FSC certification and joining TBI membership, towards greener and sustainable forest management in the HoB.

"We need to continue building a sustainable forestry business in the HoB with certification. We need to engage more timber companies operating in Borneo to adopt certification scheme. Why is this important? Because forest and timber certification is a tool for sustainable development. With this, our journey towardssustainable timber production in Borneo will be accelerated, further and farther."

Located in Central Kalimantan's upper Katingan watershed, and sharing the other administrative area of Gunung Mas District, the PT. Dwimajaya Utama concession area is an important habitat for protected plants and animals, including Orangutans, Bornean Gibbons, Clouded Leopards and Helmeted Hornbills.

The PT. Dwimajaya Utama concession covers 127,300 hectares and supplies four main commercial tree species to the market: Bangkirai (Shorea laevis), Red Meranti (Shorea spp), Mersawa (Anisoptera spp) and Keruing (Dipterocarpus spp).

Forestry is one of three high-impact sectors influencing the conservation health of the HoB area. Timber supply, palm oil cultivation and mining—represent HoB's large-scale, high-impact sectors. These sectors play important roles in the current economies of Borneo.

The forestry sector in Borneo has received considerable negative international publicity for its perceived impacts on the rainforests of Borneo. There is a growing awareness amongst consumers of the potentially negative environmental and social impacts associated with unsustainably produced forest products. As a result, demand for sustainably sourced products has increased signiﬁcantly during the last 15 years.

To ensure that open and increased access to the global market for Indonesian timber, companies need to guarantee buyers that the timber and its by-products are legal and are sourced in an environmentally friendly manner. These issues encourage forestry companies to run their businesses responsibly and in balance with communities and the environment.

One way to guarantee the market that timber comes from well-managed forest is by certification. It can help provide environmental, social and economic benefits. Certification also boosts sustainability in the long term as forest managers are requested to improve their monitoring systems and to implement the results obtained. This can have an impact on areas such as forest productivity or the impact of logging on biodiversity and species composition of the forests.

Rizal Bukhari from TBI said that his organization supports actions toward sustainable forest in the HoB. Since 2009, TBI has assisted 31 natural forest concessions, equal to 3.3 million hectares, 7 have received FSC certificates.

"The awards ceremony will also acknowledge the beginning of certification negotiations with seven concessions with a combined area of 800.000 hectares, four of them are in the HoB area," Rizal added.

During the event, TBI will also highlight two certification schemes for Indonesian timber companies, FSC and SVLK (Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu - Combined Certification for Legality), discuss the benefit of following the dual certification. Discussions will be built around the issues how to apply the different scheme in the field and how to maximize the benefit. The event theme is (SVLK) and Sustainability (PHPL-FSC) in Natural Forest Management in Indonesia.

New study reveals scale of persistent illegal tiger trade

2013-03-07

Bangkok, Thailand, 7th March 2013—Parts of more than 1400 Tigers have been seized across Asia in the past 13 years, according to TRAFFIC's latest analysis of confiscations, which includes new data for 2010-2012.

Reduced to Skin and Bones Revisited finds that parts of at least 1425 Tigers had been seized across all but one of the 13 Tiger range countries between 2000 and 2012. For Cambodia alone, no seizures were recorded at all during the period.

Although it is not yet possible to show a definite trend, the analysis provides clear evidence that illegal trade in Tigers, their parts and products, persists as a major conservation concern, says TRAFFIC.

A total of 654 seizures of Tiger parts ranging from skin to bones, to teeth, claws and skulls took place during this period, an average of 110 Tigers killed for trade per year or just over two per week.

89% of seizures occur outside protected areas, emphasizing the importance of anti-trafficking actions to disrupt trade chains and prevent incursions into Tiger habitat. The benefits of such analysis to enhance law enforcement efforts to protect Tigers are obvious.

"If more robust information was routinely collected, analysed and shared between countries, real inroads could be made into targeting the smuggling syndicates behind Tiger trafficking," said Natalia Pervushina, Tiger Trade Programme Leader for TRAFFIC and WWF.

The report, a joint effort by TRAFFIC and the WWF Tigers Alive Initiative, was launched today at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting currently underway in Bangkok, Thailand. Later this week governments will debate efforts underway to protect Tigers and other Asian big cats.

A significant finding in the updated analysis was increased recording of seizures involving live Tigers – 61 individuals were seized in the three-year period since the last full CITES meeting took place in 2010, representing 50% of overall numbers (123) recorded since 2000. Thailand was the most significant location for interdiction of live Tiger trade (30 Tigers), followed by Lao PDR (11) and Indonesia (9) and Viet Nam (4).

"Given the low population estimates for wild tigers in Thailand, Lao PDR and Viet Nam, combined with the presence of captive Tiger facilities within these three countries, there are serious questions as to the source of these live Tigers in trade," said Nick Cox, Species Programme Manager for WWF-Greater Mekong.

Of the 13 Tiger range countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, Viet Nam), only India had kept sufficiently detailed seizure records to allow meaningful analysis to identify the 'hotspots' where Tiger trade was taking place.

Based on the information from India, five 'hotspot' locations were identified, including Delhi, while the other four were close to protected areas in different parts of the country (Uttar Pradesh, central India, West Bengal (Sundarbans) and the southern India landscape of the Western Ghats).

"The quality of the information from India allowed us to perform a spatial analysis and pinpoint the key locations where Tiger trade is taking place," said Sarah Stoner, TRAFFIC's Tiger Trade Data Specialist and author of the report. "Countries should be made to keep to their commitments under CITES to protect wild Tigers by providing robust reporting on the current situation."

Under agreements made at earlier CITES meetings, Tiger range countries have to state what action they have taken to protect Asian big cats. As of the start of the CITES meeting currently underway in Bangkok, only China, India and Thailand1 had submitted appropriate reports in compliance with a CITES requirement to do so.2

WWF and TRAFFIC are urging countries engaged in the Global Tiger Recovery Program to develop a harmonized process for reporting to the GTRP that will also fulfil the requirements of CITES with respect to Tigers.

-ENDS-

For further information contact

Dr. Richard Thomas, TRAFFIC's Global Communications Co-ordinator, Richard.thomas@traffic.org, +66 904 169 478

Notes

1 Russia also submitted a report, but not in the appropriate format.
2 CITES Resolution 12.5 (Rev. CoP15) on the Conservation of and trade in Tigers and other Appendix-I Asian big cat species.

WWF Heart of Borneo Media Release - Earth Hour 2013

2013-02-28

EARTH HOUR MORE THAN LIGHTS OFF
From Botswana to Borneo and all around the globe - Earth Hour launches its 2013 campaign as a platform for outcomes to change the planet

FEBRUARY 27 2013, SINGAPORE: Earth Hour, the world's largest movement for the planet, has launched its 2013 campaign on the back of record environmental outcomes it achieved in 2012.

Andy Ridley, CEO and Co-Founder of Earth Hour, spoke at the media launch of the environmental campaign in Singapore today. Earth Hour 2013 will take place on Saturday, March 23 at 8:30PM. "Earth Hour has always been more than a lights off campaign, and we are now seeing some extraordinary environmental outcomes on the way to achieving our long-term vision," Ridley said.

Earth Hour in the Heart of Borneo (HoB)

In the Heart of Borneo, Earth Hour is asking participants from around the world to sign an online pledge – Add your voice to save HoB - to encourage the governments of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia to continue to conserve the Heart of Borneo, 22 million hectares of pristine forests and one of Asia's largest remaining primary forests. This global action is as not only saving the world from the potential of huge carbon pollution emissions but helping to conserve 6% of the worlds biodiversity and the habitat of thousands of species and endangered animals such as Orangutans, Pygmy Elephants, Rhinos and Clouded Leopards.

WWF Heart of Borneo Global Initiative Leader, Dr Tom Maddox, says he is encouraged by Earth Hour's support in highlighting WWF's HoB global initiative to the world. "Earth Hour is not just about turning off lights. It is also creating global awareness of how people power can really help in the quest to save our planet and pressure governments and companies to do the right thing.

It's not all gloom and doom for the Island of Borneo and its rich biodiversity, unique wildlife and indigenous culture. It can be saved, but we must act now and public support can be the key to making both governments and companies stick to their promises for a green economic future," said Dr Maddox.

WWF HoB contact
Thomas Maddox PhD MBA BSc.
tmaddox@wwf.or.id
Leader, WWF Heart of Borneo Global Initiative
Tel: +62 21 782 9461 ext. 152
Mobile: +62 8119006277
Skype: tmmaddox

Up to US$30.5 million in new funds to support green economies in the Heart of Borneo

2013-02-27

On Tuesday, 26 February, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) board formally approved its US$4.5 million co-funding for the new Sustainable Forest and Biodiversity Management program in the Heart of Borneo.

This funding is part of a program that was approved by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council in November 2012. In addition to the ADB's US$4.5m, the GEF will provide US$2.5m, the Government of Indonesia US$0.5m and WWF US$2m. The GEF program is an example of the power of collaboration with public sector partners, which has resulted in several new funding mechanisms directed at the Heart of Borneo program.

An additional US$2m for social development and community empowerment from the Japan Fund for Poverty Alleviation, and up to US$19.5m from the Forest Investment Programme (FIP) in Indonesia.

In total a potential investment of around US$30.5m for forest conservation and green growth interventions in the HoB. The programs are designed to ensure the sustainable management of forest resources and biodiversity in the Indonesian portion of the Heart of Borneo (HoB) through direct engagement with governments, communities and private sector companies.

By reducing pressure on forests and promoting sustainable and equitable forest and land management, the project will help reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions, with potential co-benefits in the form of poverty reduction, improved quality of life for the indigenous peoples and local communities, protection of local peoples' rights, and enhanced conservation of biodiversity and other ecosystem services.

Through its unique partnership, WWF and ADB have been nurturing the development and design of new programs to support the transition of the HoB towards a green economy. The project will be structured around the following components:

1. Strengthening policies and institutions for sustainable forest and biodiversity management

2. Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and carbon stock enhancement (REDD+) to improve management of land use and forestry practices

3. Innovative Sustainable Financing Mechanisms

4. Create Sustainable Livelihood Systems

The HoB is one of the four major regions in Asia and the Pacific where WWF and ADB seek to reduce the impact of the global footprint on natural capital. The other initiatives are the Coral Triangle, the Greater Mekong Sub-region and the Living Himalayas. See the: Ecological Footprint and Investment in Natural Capital in Asia and the Pacific

Kutai Barat: between low carbon development and demand for 7% of economic growth

2013-02-21

WWF-Indonesia has been developing carbon project under Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) mechanism. One of four REDD+ pilot projects in the Heart of Borneo is in Kutai Barat District in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

REL (Reference Emission Level) development is the first important step in REDD+ scheme. You need to know reference level from which you would start to count emission reduction you have achieved. REL determines level of emission happened in the absence of REDD+ activities. REL is used to measure the effectiveness of an REDD+ project, it estimates carbon stock in the forests and level of emission reduction should be achieved in order to maintain the stock.

In February 2013, WWF-Indonesia in collaboration with ICRAF and government of Kutai Barat organized a workshop for government staff on how to determine REL using spatial approach and analysis (Maxent and Luwes) and further discussion on Kutai Barat sustainable development scenario.

Workshop is a continuation of the MRV training which was previously conducted in Balikpapan, December 2012. Participants of workshop are technical staff from the local Planning Office (Bappeda), Forestry Office, Agriculture Plantation Crop and Animal Husbandry Office, Public Works Agency, and the Mining and Energy Office. The series of workshop is necessary knowledge and skills to carry out technical works for sustainable development local scenario in Kutai Barat.

Both workshops are in line with the Regional Action Plan for Greenhouse Gases (Rencana Aksi Daerah dalam Penurunan Gas Rumah Kaca/RAD-GRK), both at the national level and at the level of East Kalimantan Province in low carbon development scenarios that support the Government of Indonesia's commitment to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions.

Each district in East Kalimantan, including Kutai Barat District should prepare implementation strategy for low carbon development commitment while supporting the demand for 7% economic growth in the district development. With the RAD-GRK, each district will have a plan of joint efforts on environmental-friendly development activities, using resources efficiently, and simultaneously reduce emissions.

Dr. Stephanus Madang, the government representative when opening the workshop mentioned that to realize the sustainable development in Kutai Barat, it will be needed scenario/plan sustainable development involving the cooperation and commitment of all the parties in the implementation and achievement of sustainable development programs in line with Kutai Barat's vision and mission.

Moreover, Kutai Barat still has fairly extensive forests and other natural resources that are still not well-managed and organized in order to improve the local economy and public welfare by taking into account environmental aspect and in line with the principles of sustainable development.

WWF-Indonesia appreciated the government full participation in the workshop as it is helpful to support a success Kutai Barat as REDD+ pilot project in Indonesia, particularly in the Heart of Borneo area.

Capacity building on REL and sustainable development scenario will be organised into 3 phases of activities, which are on 19-20 February, 24-28 February, and 5-7 March. The activities are carried out separately in Kutai Barat and Bogor. The improved capacity will provide a big impact on environmental conservation and protection of biodiversity and climate change mitigation in Indonesia.

Community connections deep in the Heart of Borneo

2013-02-21

Difficult access in several villages in Gunung Mas District, Central Kalimantan has made it an expensive transportation for people in those places. Poor infrastructure services can cause social and communication isolation, where access to media and news streams is limited. As an effort to bridge gap of information, WWF-Indonesia Central Kalimantan established community radio "Sandukui FM", a non-commercial radio station, in Tumbang Napoi, Miri Manasa Subdistrict. The radio has been airing since January 2012 within frequency 102 FM.

The name "Sandukui" itself is taken from a hill in the Muller mountain range. Powered by 100 watt transmitter, the radio iniatially reached out three villages in Gunung Mas District, Rangan Hiran, Mesukih and Harowu. Now in 2013, the radio has been able to cover now eight villages with two transmitters placed in Rangan Hiran and Mesukih.

After two years in operation, Sandukui FM is still struggling to survive. In January, WWF visited some villages to familiarise the radio to local community, explaining the advantange and how community can maximise the benefit of the radio to help distribute local information around them.

"Not only to fulfill the information needs, the locally-produced content that is relevant to their culture and daily lives. Sandukui FM is also expected to become effective media to educate the public, especially local community about enviroment." said Nina Nuraisyiah, Communications Coordinator of WWF-Indonesia Central Kalimantan Program.

In Tumbang Apoi, the community enthusiastically welcome the presence of Sandukui FM community radio. The young people were actively participated in the first radio broadcast training held by WWF-Indonesia and its partners of Central Kalimantan Communications Network on various basic skills, from broadcast techniques and how to establish a program or material.

"Community is really supportive. They have early-started announcers who are really interested to learn more about radio broadcast. They discussed content of radio program they want and believe that it is the required content. However they still need to leverage their new skill," said Erwan Asbun, a local professional announcer who assists the establishment of Radio Sandukui FM.

Support is needed to build long-term capacity such as provision of training on the basic electronic skill, the how-to-become announcer, including creating good, fun, educational radio production, and how to do self-fundraising for daily running cost.

Community radio station is limited in raising funds especially from advertising or sponsorship, therefore they have to be creative and equipped with necessary knowledge to source the potential funding properly.

Sandukui FM is getting assistance from WWF Central Kalimantan communications unit to develop program and material. Everyday, the radio will be airing from 6am to 9am, and from 5pm to 9pm. The time arrangement is basically run on the electric availability sourcing fully from solar power.

Sandukui FM is not the first WWF-initiated community radio. Previously, more than two years ago, WWF Central Kalimantan assisted the establishment in the Sebangau NP area, Mendawai FM and Sebangau Kuala FM.

"We also encourage local community to produce their own radio program, currently WWF assists production of PSA, radio drama, and other for the radio to deliver the environment message. It is hoped that the with the presence of the radio, building awareness of environment will be more effective," Nina added.

Natural Capital meets Social Capital for more sustainable livelihoods in the HoB

2013-02-08

By Cristina Eghenter

It might not be so evident that charcoal or a kind of 'black' production could lead to a greener rural economy pathway, but the experience of the NGO Dian Tama and communities in West Kalimantan tell a different story, one in which green vegetation can turn black for greener results!

For years practitioners and local farmers have worked together with experts from Japan on how to produce good quality charcoal from burning the wood of locally planted and enriched plots, and sell it on the market as briquettes for use in energy efficient cooking stoves, organic agriculture and sustainable animal husbandry.

The 'carbon minus capture& storage' is a simple, efficient and environmentally sound technology with wide agricultural application. It is low cost and can be easily applied in developing countries contexts. It is a technology that capitalizes on the natural circulation of carbon on earth and the production of inorganic carbon through the carbonization of biomass that does not increase CO2.

A decade-long collaboration and the technology transfer from Japanese experts to local practitioners have laid the foundation for more sustainable farming (rice, vegetables). The char compost is produced and scattered in the fields and plots to increase soil productivity, it is mixed into the animal feed to increase resistance to common diseases, and also spread as a thin layer on the floor of animal sheds thus reducing smell and contributing to a cleaner environment.

This is just one example of environmentally appropriate technology with great potential for application in rural situations and communities in the Heart of Borneo. Other, similar experiences of how to build sustainability and harness the rich natural resources in the Heart of Borneo to improve local livelihoods were shared and discussed at a meeting in Pontianak (West Kalimantan) in December 2012. This was part of the 2-year long series of public debates and seminars on Green Economy and sustainability in HoB.

Over sixty communities' representatives from the area, and a few participants from the Krayan Highlands in East Kalimantan, at the border between Malaysia and Indonesia, members of local NGOs and WWF, experts and academics from Tanjungpura University (UNTAN), met for three days to discuss Green Economies, rural livelihoods and development needs of the communities in the Heart of Borneo with a special focus on the border area as a dynamic, emerging frontline for sustainable development in the Heart of Borneo.

The discussions showed how important it is to root a green economy concept into local reality, traditional practices and appropriate technology. Participants might have been quick at voicing suspicion and even criticism at high and theoretical concepts like 'Green Economy,' but they enthusiastically contributed and shared their own interpretations and explorations of green economies that can really help improve sustainability and transform their livelihoods.

Community-based ecotourism enterprises, organic rice agriculture, wild honey production, handicraft making, these are promising economic, community enterprises that are built on two main elements: respect of local cultural and social values, and traditional practices; and good business sense with sound valuation of the natural capital and within the limits of the sustainable use of natural resources. Green economy and local livelihoods are coming closer together for sustainable development in the Heart of Borneo.

Kick Andy on Location: FORMADAT in the Heart of Borneo

2013-02-08

A strong message from the peoples at the border of Malaysia and Indonesia in Krayan, "Better to put friendship first, than exacerbated the situation" (Lebih baik mengedepankan kebersamaan, daripada memperuncing keadaan)

In January 2013, a prominent talk show program, Kick Andy, run by Indonesian national TV station, MetroTV, made a special feature on the Heart of Borneo. For five days, the Kick Andy team stayed in location in , Krayan, Malinau, East Kalimantan, the border area between Malaysia and Indonesia that has seemingly been 'left behind' and untouched by development. The state administrative boundaries are not dividing its peoples who have lived side by side for hundreds of years ago and have been sharing cultures and history of Lun Dayeh-Kelabit-Lun Bawang-Sa'ban, regardless of their comparatively recent country boundaries.

The show hosted by Andy F. Noya centered on the community struggle to maintain its environment and culture led by their community leaders, Lewi G.Paru (customary chief of Krayan Selatan, and head of Formadat Indonesia) and George Sigar Sultan (head of Formadat Malaysia). Despite the demands to survive with the limitations of transportation, information, communications, public facilities, etc, peoples with their local wisdom have shown that it is possible to protect nature and culture, and benefit from that. Through the strong friendship between peoples in the border area, they have shown us that it is possible to foster the friendship and kinship between Indonesia and Malaysia on the ground.

Throughout the story, devoted local people supported Formadat's mission are highlighted, like Ilyas Yesaya and Kisuh who devoted their time and land to establish a Cultural Field School where people, especially young ones, are be able to learn their traditional culture. In addition, as part of the show. Cristina Eghenter from WWF-Indonesia outlined why WWF is supporting the people from highland.

During 1.5 hour people will see and feel Krayan Selatan, meet the local people and enjoy the beauty of the land from the Heart of Borneo.

Watch the show: http://www.metrotvnews.com/videoprogram/detail/2013/02/01/16052/190/Inspirasi-dari-Jantung-Borneo/Kick%20Andy

(Translation of http://www.kickandy.com/theshow/1/1/2430/read/INSPIRASI-DARI-JANTUNG-BORNEO.html)

INSPIRATION FROM THE HEART OF BORNEO

Looking for the similarity will be more conciliate than seeking the differences. This becomes the people's trust in the highlands, the heart of Borneo, or Borneo Island.

In the highlands, there are people who claim that they have the same ancestor, family, and tradition. Although there is an administration barrier which separate them as people in two different countries but they can create the harmonization of a relationship which has a mutual connection. They are the people of Indonesia in Krayan, Nunukan, East Kalimantan and the people in Sarawak and Sabah, Malaysia.

Since November 2006, the indigenous people of the two countries Malaysia and Indonesia, have declared the establishment of an Alliance of the Indigenous People of Borneo Highlands (FORMADAT).

The declaration indicated the visionary thinking that the land and the future of indigenous people in the Borneo Highlands, even though they are administratively separated, they have to be one and requires a shared commitment to build a more prosperous livelihood and maintain a good environment.

Together, they build the cooperation to maintain the culture, traditions, languages, and relationships of indigenous people from Borneo Highlands. They also jointly, develop a sustainable economic that enterprises, such as an organic agriculture, community-based ecotourism, and formed fair trade network.

So, when there are many conflicts which happen between Indonesia and Malaysia, we will then see the opposite conditions on the community of Borneo Highlands. Their harmonies are not only for the two countries, but also the harmony between human and nature. The two countries agreed to encourage the conservation, rivers, indigenous forests, preserve the historical sites, and culture. Lewi G. Paru is a custom leader of Krayan Selatan, who is now the Chairman of the Indonesian Alliance of the Indigenous People of Borneo Highlands. While from Malaysia, there is George Sigar, a figure from Bakelalan, Sarawak.
From the conversation between Andy F. Noya as a host and the two figures, we can take a lot of inspirations about peace on the border, and even more, about the peace of the community in the two countries.

One thing that should be highly appreciated from their leadership and experiences, is the attitude of willingly sacrifice. Moreover, Lewi G. Paru, as a custom leader and Chairman of the Indonesian Alliance of the Indigenous People of Borneo Highlands, felt that the road access to the border is an infrastructure that must be built to achieve the common purpose. So he was willing to sell his 300 buffalos, for the construction of roads in the border of Krayan into Sarawak.

For Lewi, the access is more rational, rather than thinking about the access to the capital regency, which is still to be reached by pioneer aircraft. Krayan subdistrict does have a location which is still secluded in the middle of a thick forest in Borneo. To be there, we have to use the services of pioneer aircraft from Tarakan City, East Kalimantan. In addition to cooperate in the economy sector, FORMADAT also has a mission to preserve the traditional culture of Lundayeh of Borneo Highlands.

To fulfill that mission, they built the Cultural Field School (CFS), an organization of preservation of art and culture which regularly provide training to the younger generation.

This is a picture of a beautiful harmony in the border of two countries. Imagine, if at any point in the borders there is peace like this, how life on earth will be full of joy. There will be no hostility; there will only be a harmony for mankind and the universe.

View from the canopy: an introduction from the new HoB leader

2013-02-08

Six months ago I was in a comfortable position at a good University in a peaceful British town with a contract for life. A chance email from a friend at WWF changed all that and I find myself beginning 2013 pulled in multiple directions by maelstrom of urgent issues amidst a city of angry traffic and sweaty heat. But it feels wonderful.

Taking over the leadership of the Heart of Borneo for WWF is both a deeply daunting and incredibly exciting task. When the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei signed the Heart of Borneo Declaration they gave birth to one of the most forward-thinking and exciting environmental initiatives in the world. WWF has played a key role in nurturing this vision. For years WWF staff have been on the front line of wildlife conservation and local community development in Kalimantan, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. But the establishment of the Global Initiative helped channel these efforts into something bigger than the sum of its parts. Governments and businesses are now working hand in hand with NGOs and civil society in an example of cutting edge conservation and what could well be the new standard for environmentally sustainable development.

Over the past five years, Adam Tomasek and his team have led WWF's contribution to the Heart of Borneo and they leave a most impressive legacy. During this time they honed the direction of the initiative from something visionary but conceptual to something visionary and real. National and international support and leadership was cultivated, the private sector was brought into the discussion and the seminal 'Investing in Nature' report was launched. The report coalesced the essence of the Heart of Borneo into a simple economic choice. Development could continue on a 'business as usual' path for short term profit but little long term sustainability or equitability or it could take the 'green economy' path, integrating the value of natural resources into economic decision making and establishing long term sustainability and equitability. For the first time there was a clear, rational and economically grounded basis for conserving Borneo's biodiversity.

But of course the work is not complete. The next challenge is to demonstrate a green economy can work in practice. The economic arguments for change are clear, but can they be translated into practical, feasible policies? Can these policies be implemented on the ground and generate clear, conservation outcomes? And can these outcomes be replicated at scale, bringing the transformational change that is required? Answering this challenge will rely heavily on those on the ground with the power to bring change – on the regional policy makers that govern the Heart of Borneo and on the people who vote them into power and face the consequences of their decisions. More than ever the Heart of Borneo therefore relies on the WWF national staff who have the experience, the information and the respect to drive such changes. The focus of the GI moving into the future must therefore focus on supporting the national offices. We must provide the regional vision into which national activities can feed, help harmonise existing activities across national borders and draw in the resources and support they need to succeed.

I feel honoured to be taking on this challenge. Nearly twenty years ago Borneo was where I took my first steps into conservation working with the orang utans in and around Tanjung Puting National Park. The intervening years have taken me to the work with meerkats in the Kalahari, cheetahs and Maasai in Tanzania, tigers and oil palm in Sumatra and renewable energy in the Himalayas. Most recently I have focussed specifically on the role of business on the environment, working with companies to account for their reliance and impacts on 'natural capital'. I now return full circle to where I began, married, as it happens, to my beautiful Bornean wife. The site I started out on in Borneo has now disappeared, one of countless examples of the environment losing out to economic development. A sustainable future cannot be based on such a dichotomy. The Heart of Borneo offers a vision of an alternate world, one where the true values of nature are recognised and integrated into an equitable, sustainable and prosperous society. As leader I will be doing everything in my power to realise this vision.

- Tom Maddox

WWF Earth Hour dares the world to save the forests of Borneo

2013-02-08

As part of the WWF Earth Hour 2013 pledge to 'Dare the world to save our planet', the world's largest environmental campaign has turned its attention to help keep the Heart of Borneo off-limits to unsustainable development.

The Earth Hour online campaign is publicly urging hundreds of thousands of Earth Hour participants around the globe to sign-up to the WWF #SAVEHOB pledge before its annual EarthHour event at 8.30pm on March 23rd, 2013.

Switching off lights for an hour around the world, Earth Hour 2013 symbolises the public's environmental concern about the future of our planet. It is estimated to reach over 1.8 billion people across the globe, and is to be hosted in more than 7000 cities and towns in 152 countries worldwide.

Earth Hour's support in encouraging the world to take interest in the WWF HoB initiative is encouraging and inspiring.

In case you have missed this important pledge - please join us to keep the Heart of Borneo beating and keep it off-limits to unsustainable land development, off-limits to illegal logging, wildlife poachers,and harmful pollutants.

More than 1300 people have already added their voice to the SaveHoB Facebook app to help save the forests of Borneo.

We're aiming for 12,000 pledges by March 23, and you can help by signing up to the app to add your voice. We need fewer than 11,000 voices to complete the target.

Join with our HoB supporters Sir David Attenborough and Earth Hour ambassadors Nadya Hutagalung and Nugie to pledge your support and send a message to save the Heart of Borneo.

Add your message of support: apps.facebook.com/saveHoB

Seminar nurtures Bruneians as advocates for 'green growth' in the HoB

2013-02-08

To show their commitment in assisting Brunei Darussalam's transition towards a green economy and conserving the forests of Borneo, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Asian Institute of Technology and the British High Commission partnered together in January 2013, to present the first ever Brunei specific seminar on 'Green Growth Policy tools for Low Carbon Development'.

Held at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), the seminar was attended by 21 participants from the Brunei's government, private business, NGOs and academic sectors, who participated in a two day seminar and a four week intensive on-line training course to develop Green Growth strategies for Brunei Darussalam.

The on-going four week e-workshop is guiding participants to reflect on how Brunei can benefit from sustainable production and consumption, sustainable infrastructure and green tax and budget reform and as well as "greening businesses" or enterprises that prioritise environmental protection into their long-term business strategies.

Speaking at the seminar's opening, Aneta Nikolova, an environmental affairs officer and analyst from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) said that the online learning facility was a "window towards green economy and green policies" in the region. "It is also the window where Brunei can promote itself as one of the leaders in this region.

For us, Brunei is the Heart of Borneo, and Borneo is the lungs of the Asia-Pacific. This is the last tropical forest in our region that has been (kept) intact and the efforts of the Sultanate here is a remarkable example for the whole region," said Nikolova at UBD's University Technology Hub.

As part of the online course, participants will have to prepare a one-page case study, which the ESCAP official said could be brought to mainland countries in the region.

"We hope to have these case studies appear on our online e-learning facility, which is a window to good practices for the whole region."

Participants at the seminar included representantives from UBD, Institut Teknologi Brunei, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Development, Brunei's Heart of Borneo Council, Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies, Green Brunei, Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Brunei Shell Petroleum Company SdnBhd, Brunei Investment Agency and the British High Commission.

Dean of UBD's Faculty of Business, Economics and Policy Studies, Dr Joyce Teo Siew Yean, hailed the initiative as a "first step in promoting e-Learning", while "providing a critical opportunity to further advance our understanding of green growth and sustainable development, and to foster a new environmental consensus".

The seminar shared expert perspectives on green growth initiatives from around the world, alongside training on the use of the e-learning facility.

"We hope that you will become the champions of green growth in Brunei Darussalam. We need more champions. (Brunei is) a small, but bright and intelligent nation full of ideas and interest for innovation. This is our call," said Nikolova.

Speaking at the seminar, Rob Fenn, The British High Commissioner for Brunei, believed low carbon and green growth policies in Brunei could benefit the country greatly by creating techolognical competitiveness by reducing business costs and generating jobs and business opportunities.

Globally, it is estimated that there is now an annual total of 4 trillion dollars of green industry business. The forecast is that green business will grow by 45% over the next 8 years. Brunei is yet to develop its green growth potential and the opportunities are huge for both the country financially and preserving its beautiful forests.

WWF HoB will keep you posted on further outcomes of the workshop.