Between sea and land: Indonesia comprises diverse ecosystems, from colourful coral reefs to dense rainforests - photo: Burung Indonesia/ Made Chandra
Indonesia
Nature conservation from coral reefs to rainforests
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Indonesia is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. NABU is committed to protecting this biodiversity - photo: wildarun - stock.adobe.com
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Rare snapshot: A highly endangered Malayan tapir photographed by one of the camera traps in our rainforest conservation project Hutan Harapan - photo: PT REKI
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Mangroves protect the coasts from erosion, strong waves, tidal currents and storms - photo: Burung Indonesia/ Made Chandra
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Together with its international partners, NABU is committed to the protection and restoration of mangroves - photo: NABU/ Martin Baumann
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NABU is campaigning against overfishing, to protect coral reefs and endangered species such as the Banggai cardinalfish - photo: Barbara Moll
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Together with our partners, we promote sustainable livelihoods and strengthen local nature conservation organisations - photo: Burung Indonesia/ Made Chandra
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Local coastal communities and fishing families depend on intact ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs - photo: Burung Indonesia/ Made Chandra
With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, including a mosaic of diverse ecosystems such as rainforests, peatlands, mangroves and coral reefs. It is no surprise that the country has extraordinary biodiversity and is one of the countries with the highest species counts of many animal and plant groups. For example, 1,836 bird species can be observed in Indonesia, 542 of which are unique to the country. However, deforestation, overexploitation and forest fires - also driven by international demand for resources such as palm oil, wood fibre, industrial metals and seafood - are endangering Indonesia's ecosystems, the habitats of many animal and plant species and the livelihoods of the local population.
Therefore, NABU has been active for nature and people in Indonesia since 2008. Together with international partners, local communities and indigenous groups, NABU implements nature conservation projects and promotes sustainable regional development.
Our engagement in Indonesia focuses on:
- Protection and restoration of ecosystems, especially rainforests, mangroves and coral reefs
- Monitoring and protection of endangered species
- Sustainable fishing practices, aquaculture and value chains in coastal communities
- Strengthening and connecting local nature conservation organisations
- Natural coastal protection and climate impact adaptation
Our achievements
- Conservation of one of Sumatra's last large lowland rainforests in the 100,000 hectare project area of Hutan Harapan
- Monitoring of key species, such as Sumatran tigers, in Hutan Harapan to develop and improve effective conservation strategies
- Supporting local institutions in protecting the Banggai-Dalaka Marine Protected Area of over 850,000 hectares in the heart of the Coral Triangle
- Protection and sustainable use of mangroves in the north-east of the island of Sulawesi, with over 500 hectares of pilot areas
- Inventory of particularly species-rich areas in western Papua in order to protect them in the long term
- Implementation of participatory land use strategies for the conservation of forest areas in Gorontalo, Sulawesi: increase in forest area by around 257 hectares, stabilisation of populations of key species and reduction of illegal extraction sites from 174 (in 2017) to only 10 (in 2020)
Our projects in Indonesia
Hutan Harapan
Hutan Harapan, the "forest of hope", is a tropical lowland forest in Sumatra, Indonesia, and one of our most precious conservation and restoration programmes. The forest is one of the last refuges for endangered species and provides countless ecosystem services. more →
22,000 hectares for mangrove protection
Our mangrove project is taking root! In the province of Gorontalo, 22,000 hectares of mangroves are now protected and sustainably managed. A win for climate action and for the little collared kingfisher – a kingfisher that lives in mangrove forests. more →
Sustainable fisheries management
The marine biodiversity of the Coral Triangle is threatened by overfishing and habitat degradation. We support coastal communities of the Banggai Islands to secure their livelihoods through sustainable fishing practices in line with the Marine Protected Area. more →
Climate and forest protection in Gorontalo
NABU and its Indonesian partner in the BirdLife network, Burung Indonesia, completed a project to protect tropical forests on the Indonesian island Sulawesi. The project was part of BirdLife’s “Forest of Hope Program” and located in the province of Gorontalo. more →
SPOTLIGHT: FOREST PROTECTION IN HUTAN HARAPAN
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World's rarest stork nests in Hutan Harapan
A sensational, hopeful discovery for science and conservation! A Storm's stork nest, complete with chick, has been found in NABU's project forest Hutan Harapan. Storm's storks are endangered: Sumatra's population has dwindled to between 50 and 100 individuals. more →
Seeking signs in the rainforest
The rainforest is bursting with life. To protect this wealth of species, one must first understand it. To that end, we spend a day accompanying the research team in the Indonesian forest protection project “Hutan Harapan”. more →
Forests under water
Like many-fingered hands, their roots reach underwater, finding a hold in muddy soils. But what happens when there’s nothing to hold onto? Mangrove forests are under massive pressure worldwide. Conservationist Patma Santi tells us how to save them. more →
Oceans and coasts - Fascinating biodiversity
Marine ecosystems are under severe pressure from rising sea levels and increasing global average temperatures due to climate change. Pollution, destruction and overfishing also wreak enormous damage. NABU works to preserve the world’s oceans and coastlines. more →
Forests - The heart of biodiversity
Forests are home to the vast majority of terrestrial biodiversity and represent a key battleground in combating the biodiversity crisis. With local partners, NABU promotes forest conservation, restoration and sustainable forest management around the world. more →