The Destruction of Sancang buffaloes

The Destruction of Sancang buffaloes

During the 1970s, the population of Sancang buffaloes living in Sancang forest was estimated at more than 100. Back then, visitors could regularly see the protected species walking here and there, wandering through plantations and settlements near the rubber plantation of Mira Mare in Sancang forest, which lies in South Garut, West Java.

Now the buffaloes living there have virtually disappeared. The number is reported to be down to just 13, and could be even fewer. Local inhabitants have not seen the buffaloes for more than two years.

The decrease in their population has been caused by the destruction of their habitat, initially in part due to volcanic ash spewed from Galunggung volcano. However, forest clearance has made the situation worse, leaving Sancang's conservation area now down to about 30 percent of the total area of 2,157 hectares.

All parties including NGOs concerned with the environment have to support each other and they, along with the government, have to overcome the ongoing forest clearances and take measures to deal with the decline in number of Sancang buffaloes and other species as well as protecting the forest's endangered plants.

-- Pikiran Rakyat, Jakarta