Environmental Activists Urge Orangutan Protection Amid Forest Fires

Jamartin Sihite, CEO of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), is urging the strengthening of protection for orangutan habitats and other wildlife amidst the ongoing threat of forest and land fires (karhutla).

“If orangutans are affected, imagine the other wildlife in the forest that will also be impacted. This must be a priority for the President and Vice President,” said Jamartin, quoting Antara on Monday (14/9).

His remarks were made in response to the visit of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to an orangutan rehabilitation centre in Central Kalimantan.

Furthermore, Jamartin stated that the government’s attention to conservation must be accompanied by efforts to preserve forest areas that serve as habitats for orangutans and other wildlife. According to Jamartin, the condition of orangutans affected by fire smoke serves as an indicator of the broader impact on wildlife living in forest areas. Therefore, he requested that the government protect remaining forest habitats to prevent them from being converted for other uses.

Jamartin also hopes that forested areas that are currently eligible for land-use conversion could be considered for stronger protection if they are proven to be wildlife habitats. He noted that the government’s current attention to conservation shows improvement, though it still needs to be increased. “What exists now, in our view, is better than before, but it must be enhanced,” he said.

Previously, Vice President Gibran visited the orangutan rehabilitation centre in Central Kalimantan to personally observe the condition of orangutans affected by smoke. Jamartin expressed his appreciation for this step.

“We believe that seeing is believing. He saw firsthand our colleagues working to care for the orangutans despite the presence of smoke,” said Jamartin.

During the visit, the Vice President was also shown orangutans that were ill and in need of nebulisers. BOSF also reported that they have received assistance from the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) in the form of nebulisers, oxygen, and firefighting equipment.

Jamartin believes that the attention shown by Vice President Gibran is not limited to orangutans. “From what he has seen and from our experience, he is showing significant attention to wildlife, not just orangutans,” he added.