Drone image of the Indonesian rainforest Hutan Harapan - photo: Saparudin
Despite climate crisis: Industry set to carve ‘Coal Road’ through Indonesian rainforest
International NGOs fought losing battle against the construction
In the heart of the Indonesian island Sumatra lies Hutan Harapan, which means “Forest of Hope”. For over 15 years, NABU has worked in concert with the local population, as well as partners on the national and international level, to protect and restore the approximately 100,000 hectare area. The forest serves as habitat for a breathtaking array of animal and plant species, and is also a carbon sink of global importance and the home of indigenous population groups. And nonetheless, it is threatened by enormous anthropogenic pressure, as the latest developments demonstrate.
Despite years of negotiations, the construction of a road for the transport of coal was approved by the government in 2019 and is now scheduled to begin in 2024. Nature conservation organisations and local indigenous communities fought tirelessly over many years to prevent the construction of the road, or at least to shift it into an area outside of Hutan Harapan. But in vain: In the end, no other option remained but to settle with the road construction companies, agreeing on compensation payments for the damage to the forest and additional necessary conservation measures for the remaining forest area.
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Sumatran tiger - photo: Adobe Stock/ sutthinon602
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A rare snapshot: This highly endangered tapir passes by one of our camera traps in Hutan Harapan - photo: PT REKI
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Hornbills in Indonesia - photo: feathercollector / stock.adobe.com
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A good overview: Hutan Harapan project staff watch for and report illegal activities in the forest - photo: Hutan Harapan
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A ranger in Harapan - photo: NABU / Annika Natus
Industry indifferent to habitat destruction as collateral damage
The road will be built through the southern part of Hutan Harapan, cutting off part of the forest and with it the habitat of many species from the rest of the forest area. Through this fragmentation, the number of wild animals hit by vehicles is expected to increase. The road also poses the danger of easier access for illegal activities such as logging and poaching within the project site, making the future conservation of the forest areas bordering the road particularly difficult.
While the road construction concern is legally obligated to carry out certain measures to mitigate the effects on surrounding areas, the project partners still anticipate significant risks for the sensitive ecosystem. In order to best counter these and protect the remaining valuable rainforest and its biodiversity, additional measures such as increased patrols through the area will be taken. With these countermeasures, the project partners also hope to preserve the homeland and livelihoods of the indigenous population and local communities.
Since 2007, NABU and its partner organisations have been implementing a shared project to protect and restore the unique forest region of Hutan Harapan. In close concert with local and indigenous residents, the project partners take action such as fighting forest fires, developing forest-friendly sources of income and researching the populations of endangered animal species.
The project is a joint initiative of Burung Indonesia, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), BirdLife International and the KfW Development Bank. It receives support from the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) and the NABU International Foundation for Nature.
Learn more about our work to protect the forestHelp us protect the forest!
Despite the climate crisis, the biodiversity crisis and all international acknowledgements of the problems, threats to unique natural treasures like Hutan Harapan continue. And so does our work! With forest protection and restoration, environmental education and communication, research and the development of sustainable sources of income, NABU and our partners work tirelessly to secure the future of the forest and its inhabitants.
Donate now for the Forest of Hope!
Donation reference: Hutan Harapan
IBAN: DE65 3702 0500 0008 0518 05
Bank für Sozialwirtschaft
For questions:
Tel. +49 030.28 49 84-15 60
Email: Spenden@NABU.de
May we send you a thank-you and a donation receipt? If so, please include your address information with the transfer. We alway mail out donation receipts during February of the following year; upon request we can also send these earlier.
MORE INFORMATION
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 →
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