Centre for Orangutan Protection

The forest along the river of Katingan in Central Kalimantan is home to about 3,000 orangutans (Population and Habitat Viability Assessment 2004). The survey conducted by BOS Foundation and Forestry Department in December 2005 showed that the concession area of the Makin Group palm oil company is inhabited by 1,600 – 2...,000 orangutans. There are at least 15 companies in possession of permits from the local government to develop oil palm plantation in the area. Several of them have a bad reputation concerning orangutan (Centre for Orangutan Protection, August 2009).

COP successfully organised local people in four villages to protest against TSH Corporation, a Malaysian company. After almost three years of campaigning, the Head of District approved the right for local people to manage 15 km along the river on their villages. However, it is not enough to save all of the orangutans there from losing their habitat. COP still have to fight hard in another six villages up river.

One the COP’s ways to develop and maintain the support from local communities is by educating their children. We use unique children friendly methods. Parents would be happy if their children were happy. However we believe that education is the best investment to prepare the Earth friendly generations.

Indria Yuli Warastuti, a COP activist has been living in the village of Tura since August 2009. She teaches English anywhere the children like: on the river bank, COP’s Conservation Camp and forest. We call it Forest School. Baca Selengkapnya