AGAINST THE FIRE - Borneo Nature Foundation
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October 2020
Volume
01
Magazine published by Borneo Nature Foundation
AGAINST THE FIRE
Considering a New Path of Forest and Land Fires
Countermeasure
Harvesting Honey,
Reaping Sustainability
LINKING RESEARCH
TO CONSERVATION
Orangutans
Need People Who Care
Table of Contents
NATURA Volume 01 | October 2020
EDITORIAL PREFACE
Executive Director Together Fight the Fire
BNF Internasional On this day five years ago, the skies above us were full
BNF WIN THE TRILLION TREES
Simon J. Husson of a choking smoke haze that billowed from burning
forests and peatlands throughout Kalimantan. Everyone
Simon J. Husson
Executive Director
CHALLENGE 2020
Deputy Director living in Palangkaraya and surrounding areas will clearly BNF Internasional
BNF Indonesia remember October 2015. I can still recall my stinging
Yunsiska Ermiasi eyes and sore throat, the vivid orange glow that descended over the city and the smoky smell
Agnes Ferisa of burning that pervaded every room.
Editor in Chief Fortunately, today in 2020 the skies are clear, with heavy rains keeping the fires at bay. But
M. Burhanudin we know that—without change—fire and haze will inevitably return again, and will affect all
of us in some way, damaging our health and economy, destroying the natural environment
Editors and impacting the whole planet by releasing huge amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere,
Yohanes Prahara accelerating climate change.
Emma Lokuciejewski Utilizing the Yard
Facing this threat, I have been impressed by the unified commitment shown locally in
Namrata Anirudh Land, Caring for the
Kalimantan by government, NGO’s and communities to tackle both the causes and the
M. Burhanudin Forest 4
impacts of these fires. Strong efforts are needed at all levels to overcome the fire crisis, from
the top of government to smallholders farming on peatland, and local grassroots efforts are
Writers especially important, whether it is fighting fires, restoring forests or spreading awareness Nature is a Healer 8
Yohanes Prahara about the dangers of burning.
Namrata Anirudh Examining the Source
Restu Aminullah The Borneo Nature Foundation is helping village communities establish and coordinate fire-
of Fire 10
Petricia A. Hutasoit fighting teams, providing training and equipment, distributing masks and making sure their
Kristana P. Makur health and safety are prioritised. Every dry-season these teams of volunteers work tirelessly Photo: Markurius Sera/BNF
to stop the fires spreading out of control. BNF is working with partners to re-wet peat-forests, Linking Research to
Desi Natalia
M. Burhanudin reversing decades of drainage to keep the peat waterlogged and reduce its ability to burn. Conservation 19
A network of community nurseries has been established, providing income to people who
B
Design, Layout, Illustration are growing trees to replant and restore areas of burnt peatland. And many young people Preserving orneo Nature Foundation (BNF) won two community, and technology to work together
& Infographics have joined BNF’s education programmes, learning about the importance of our natural Nature, Offering of the categories at the UpLink Trillion for our planet’s forests. “There is no vaccine for
Ferdinandus Eko environment whilst having fun and expressing their creativity. Enchantment 26 Trees Challenge 2020 that culminated at climate change,” added Hindou.
Our vision is of a Kalimantan without fire, with clean air and clean water; where Borneo’s the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Devel-
The UpLink Trillion Trees Challenge was
Natura Magazine amazing biodiversity is safe and flourishing; where farmers, smallholders and fisherfolk alike Orangutans Need opment Impact Summit. Between the 21st-24th
September 2020, six finalists presented their launched earlier this year and has sourced over
Borneo Nature Foundation can achieve successful livelihoods without the need for burning, and sustainable natural People Who Care 32
ideas to a multi-stakeholder panel of judges. 250 entrepreneurial solutions looking at how
Jalan Bukit Raya No. 17 resources are protected for the benefit of future generations. to scale and accelerate forest conservation and
Bukit Raya Revitalizing The Black In the announcement on Thursday 24th Sep-
As we all deal with the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, it might be easy to forget these restoration, green our cities, unlock 4IR technol-
Palangka Raya 73112 Swamp 38 tember 2020, Chineyenwa Okoru Onu, Global
Kalimantan Tengah other problems, but protecting the health of our environment is more important than ogy for trees, and stimulate forest economy – all
ever. BNF’s new Natura magazine focuses on the threats, challenges and solutions, and on Shaper of Accra Hub, representing the panel of of which are contributions to the UN Decade on
Indonesia Ecology And judges, revealed the three winners of the Up-
Phone +62 (536) 427 3286 those people making a difference here in Central Kalimantan. I hope you find it enjoyable, Ecosystem Restoration. The Trillion Trees Chal-
informative and hopefully learn something new, and please let us know what you think! Economy Must Be LinkTrillion Trees Challenge: Inga Foundation, lenge culminated at the World Economic Fo-
Email info@borneonature.org Reforestum & Ecosphere +, and BNF. The win-
Balanced 40 rum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit
ners were considered to have produced innova- 2020.
tive efforts to save forests.
Simon Husson, Chief Executive of BNF Interna-
“And also, we would like to announce the tional, expressed his gratitude for the award
ABOUT Borneo Nature Foundation is a non-profit research and conservation organization headquartered
Peo¬ple’s Choice Award. And the award goes to that was presented to BNF. “Over the past 10
in Central Kalimantan. BNF works to protect, maintain and enhance Kalimantan rainforest
BORNEO NATURE ecosystems, biodiversity and the benefits it provides to communities, through habitat protection
Borneo Nature Foundation. Congratulation for years”, he continued, “BNF has developed and
FOUNDATION the double award,” said Chineyenwa. ‘People’s refined planting methods and techniques to
and restoration programs, research, education, advocacy and sustainable development, in
Choice Award’ was an online poll conducted reforest areas of degraded peatland, planted
partnership with government, industry and community stakeholders. The current chairman of the
dur¬ing the finale of the Trillion Trees Challenge. more than 30,000 seedlings, and established
Borneo Nature Indonesia Foundation is Juliarta Bramansa Ottay. We partner with researchers
at Muhammadiyah University Palangkaraya (UMP), National University (UNAS), Gadjah Mada Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, President of the As- community seed nurseries in villages next to
University (UGM) and the Center for International Cooperation in Sustainable Management of sociation for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Central Kalimantan’s remaining tropical rainfor-
Tropical Peatlands (CIMTROP) at the University of Palangka Raya (UPR). Chad (AFPAT), emphasized the need for people, ests”.
2 | NATURA | October 2020 3 | NATURA | October 2020
Highlight Highlight
UTILIZING THE YARD LAND, CARING FOR THE RE-WETTING THE PEAT TOGETHER PRESERVING
FOREST LAND TO PREVENT FIRE SEBANGAU PEAT
T O
he Sebangau forest community empowerment, n 3rd August 2020, continues to work togeth-
place of business," she added. area in Central Kali- for example the establish- UPT LLG Center for er with BNF in developing
Nona said that temporary permacul- mantan is one of the ment of a community nurs- International Co- projects and resolving any
ture gardens was created around hous- key forests and peat swamp ery," said Daniel. operation on Sustainable problems that arise in ef-
es of the locals to foster community in- areas that are prone to fires. Management of Tropical forts to conserve forests in
Daniel further described
dependence for food security, as many Existing canals dug during il- Peatlands (CIMTROP) of The the region.
that wetting the peatlands
food products, such as vegetables and legal logging in the past has University of Palangka Raya
through the construction Darmae hopes this collabo-
fruit are purchased by the locals from accelerated the drying of and Borneo Nature Founda-
of dams was carried out to ration will further enhance
markets. peat, thereby increasing its tion (BNF) signed a Techni-
reduce the release of peat the strong relationship be-
vulnerability when the dry cal Cooperation Agreement
Permaculture gardens were initiated in water flowing out via canals tween CIMTROP and BNF.
season ar-rives. (PKS) for the period 2020
2019, supported by CISU (Civilsamfund that were used for logging Through this partnership
– 2022 at the UPT LLG CI-
i Udvikling) and Rainforest Trust. The To avoid fires from occur- in the past. By damming the two organisations have
MTROP Office. This agree-
permaculture program also includes ring the Borneo Nature the canal, there is less run been recognised and in-
ment was an extension of
the creation of fishponds. In the area Foundation (BNF) Conser- off water and collects in the creasingly supported by
the cooperative partnership
of Panjehang Village, Rakumpit District, vation Division, has three peat keeping it wet during national and international
that has been active for
Palangka Raya City, 14 families who focal activities in maintain- the dry season. stakeholders. In particular,
more than a decade.
have successfully developed 13 ponds ing the condition of peat- Head of the Pollution and they are specifically recog-
of sizes 2x3 to 4x6 meters. Meanwhile, lands in Sebangau through The signing was attended nised by the International
Environmental Damage
in the Petuk Barunai area, 27 ponds a hydrological program and by the Head of UPT LLG CI- Peat Society (IPS) because
Control Division of DLH
Planting - A number of women in Tambak Village, Banama Tingang District, Pulang Pi- have been successfully created and dam construction. These MTROP Dr. Darmae Nasir, for their efforts in the con-
Central Kalimantan, Merti
sau Regency are practicing permaculture in their yard land. (Photo: Yuliana Nona / BNF) maintained. programs include: rewet- M.Si, MA and his staff, and servation of peatlands in
Ilona, confirmed the nega-
ting, reforestation, and revi- the Chairman of Borneo Na-
The head of the Village Forest Man- tive impact of the canals in Kalimantan.
talization. ture Foundation Indonesia,
C
agement Unit (LPHD) Tambak Village, the peat forest. In the 2017-
learing land by burning is one of estry scheme. Under this scheme, BNF Juliarta Bramansa Ottay and Meanwhile, the Chairman
Efendi (48), said that through the village BNF Habitat Restoration 2019 period, DLH Central
the main causes of forest fires in has developed several activities such his staff. The event was kept of the Borneo Nature Foun-
forest scheme, residents in his village Officer Daniel Katopo, in an Kalimantan together with
Central Kalimantan. Therefore, as, developing permaculture gardens, brief considering the pre- dation Juliarta B. Ottay said,
are increasingly motivated to partici- interview, explained that hy- the Peat Restoration Agen-
effort to encourage the community to cultivation of fishponds, and cultivation vailing protocols regarding BNF is always ready to sup-
pate in protecting the forest, and even drological monitoring is one cy (BRG) built 2,775 dams in
take part in protecting the forest while of stingless bee (kelulut) honey. Covid-19. port activities and research
conduct regular patrols. This awareness of the programs to maintain seven regencies and cities in
remaining economically empowered is Central Kalimantan to avoid “This cooperation agree- at CIMTROP related to the
"The real goal is to increase public of protecting the forest has also stim- and monitor peatlands to
simultaneously required. peat drainage. ment is not a new agree- conservation of orangutans,
awareness that land around homes of ulated the residents to explore alter- keep them wet. This effort
ment, but a continuation of peat swamp forests, and bi-
This idea is what drove Borneo Nature local communities can be used to pro- native economic sources through cul- is a very important stage in "The units are built out-
various collaborations that odiversity. In fact, BNF also
Foundation (BNF) to initiate its com- duce food crops that can be consumed tivating stingless bee honey. Currently, the series of efforts to rewet side the conservation area.
have existed for a long time. supports capacity building
munity empowerment program. Since without further clearing forest land," the number of bee farmers in Tambak the peat. In protected areas, we fill
Whatever the obstacles, we for colleagues at The Uni-
2019, BNF have carried out a number said Nona. Village totals 16 people, where, three the canals. The canals are
"We will rewet peatlands will be able to overcome versity of Palangka Raya re-
of activities in the form of encouraging Cultivation activities are carried out of them have developed it in their own no longer needed because lating to the conservation of
garden. Around the areas of cultivation, through infrastructure de- them because we already
local communities to effectively utilise on land owned by the residents them- velopment such as dam they drain water in the for- peatlands and biodiversity.
residents have planted flowers and fruit have a good relationship,
available cleared land around forest ar- selves. This sense of ownership helps construction. Reforestation est." Said Merti.
trees to support the productivity of and we have evaluated “We also continue to sup-
eas, eliminating the need to clear more from prevention of burning and in- is pursued by planting, while (M. Burhanudin/Yohanes every obstacle and we an-
forest land by burning. bees in producing honey. port our partner institutions
crease the need for protecting it. revitalization is through Prahara) ticipate how to solve it in to continue managing their
BNF Community Development (Com- "For example, in Tambak Village, Ba¬na- "What we are currently doing is still in the agreement letter,” said areas and contribute to the
Dev) division Coordinator, Yuliana ma Tingang District, Pulang Pisau Re- its early stages. However, we are opti- Darmae. development of science and
Nona, on Wednesday, 16th September gency, the land for cultivating Stingless mistic that in time the benefits will be
Darmae emphasized that education, especially for
2020, said that the empowerment of greater, "said Efendi.
bees (Trigona sp.) is approximately one the meeting also agreed on local students at the Uni-
the commu-nities around forests car- hectare, and the residents will protect (Yohanes Prahara / Mohamad Burhanu- several additional points in versity,” he said. (Yohanes
ried out by BNF is through a social for- the land from fire because it is their din) the PKS. UPT LLG CIMTROP Prahara)
4 | NATURA | October 2020 5 | NATURA | October 2020
Our Landscape
BNF’s SCOPE OF WORK •
BARITO ULU
Tropical forest survey
ACTIVITIES OUT-
• Expedition
SIDE THE LAND-
• Research center develop- SCAPE
ment • COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES
• Data sharing and publication Organizing BNF Talks regularly twice
• Knowledge and experiences a month, in the form of dialogues on
sharing themes related to conservation and
• Promoting of Kalimantan the environment; building national and
CENTRAL KALIMANTAN biodiversity international public awareness about
the importance of conservation of
forest ecosystems and biodiversity of
BARITO ULU Kalimantan through events, products
and communication both online and
SEBANGAU offline; developing communication
• CONSERVATION PROGRAMME networks across media and stake-
Research driven conservation; holders; conducting public awareness
hydrological monitoring and dam campaigns on programs and issues of
building in canals in the peat concern to BNF;
swamp forest to prevent peat • ORANGUTAN CARING SCHOLARSHIP
drainage; reforestation through Facilitating the selection of orangutan
replanting peatlands that have care scholarships (OCS) for forestry and
been damaged for various rea- RUNGAN agriculture students of The University
sons; community participation in of Palangka Raya.
conservation efforts; developing • COOPERATION FOR CONSERVATION
forest conservation education RUNGAN AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
and training activities; community • KECAMATAN RAKUMPIT Developing partnerships with rele-
nursery development; socialisa- Forest patrol research in KHDTK; vant stakeholders and in carrying out
tion and training on forest and community empowerment in the conservation and research activities,
land fire prevention for the local form of fishery cultivation in Pan- including:
community; organising forest jehang and Petuk Berunai Villages 1. Developing partnerships and col-
patrols with the community. SEBANGAU as well as the development of laborations with respect to conser-
• EDUCATION PROGRAMME home food gardens in Bukit Sua; vation programs with the Central
Conservation class on themes and social forestry by initiating the Kalimantan Provincial Government,
activities such as Gibbon Goes to Masyarakat Hukum Adat (Cus- Nature Conservation Agency (BKS-
School, Gibbon Youth Campaign, tomary Law Community) in Mung- DA) Kalimantan Tengah, City Govern-
involving volunteers in education ku Baru, as well as social forestry ment of Palangka Raya, Sebangau
related activities (in Palangka Raya licensing assistance in Panjehang, National Park Authority and the Re-
City); organising events and activ- Bukit Sua, Petuk Berunai and gional Government of Pulang Pisau.
ities through Anak Sebangau and Mungku Baru; Conservation Class 2. Developing research collaboration
Sebangau Rangers Youth Commu- and Gibbon Youth Campaign; with the Faculty of Forestry of
nities, as well as organising Gib • KECAMATAN BANAMA TIN- Muhammadiyah University Palangka
bon Youth Campaign (in Kereng GANG Raya, University of Palangka Raya,
Bangkirai). Community Development: post UPT-LLG CIMTROP University
• VISIT AND FIELD COURSES social forestry permit assistance Palangka Raya, Palangka Raya Chris-
International field courses; Inter- in Tambak Village through kelulut tian University; University of Exeter;
national school visit at Sebangau honey cultivation and clean water University of Leicester; and Oxford
Forest Research Station. management. Brookes University.
6 | NATURA | October 2020 7 | NATURA | October 2020
Editor's Note
ECOSYSTEM
SERVICES
NATURE IS A HEALER
Mohamad Burhanudin
Nature runs on sunlight This means that forest fires need to be
Nature uses only the energy it needs seen as part of an imbalance in the re-
Nature fits form to function lationship between units that should PROVISION SERVICES
Nature recycles everything live harmoniously in one system. The Food, water availability; raw materials, fuel and energy;
Nature rewards cooperation act of burning and destroying forests fertilizer, genetic material; medicine and pharmaceuti-
Nature banks on diversity clearly violates the natural order of the cals; models and organisms for testing (organism test);
Nature demands local expertise ecosystem and destroys the balance. As fashion, decorative, handicraft materials.
Nature curbs excesses from within a result, land and forests are more sus-
Nature taps the power of limits ceptible to fire. How do we tackle this
problem?
(Janine M. Benyus, Biomimicry, 1998) Here, in Benyus' design, that nature can
heal itself becomes relevant. The re-es- REGULATORY SERVICES
T
he words written by Benyus em- In 2019, based on data from the Minis- tablishment of a balanced relationship
phasises that nature always offers try of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), between units in an ecosystem needs to Gas and air regulation; climate (including carbon se-
solutions to various human chal- no less than 1.65 million ha of forest become a new paradigm in fire preven- questration); protection against strom and floods; pre-
lenges, especially for one of the biggest and land were burned. Of this total tion. Preventing humans (as part of the vention of dryness and the provision of natural irriga-
challenges of modern humans: balanc- area, approximately 685,000 ha occur ecosystem) from burning forests care- tions; providing enough water to wet the forest in dry
ing economic development and ecolo- in Kalimantan. lessly, as well as rehabilitating forests season; clean water; erosion prevention; maintenance of
gy. It is apparent that the two now seem and land, re-greening, restoring water productive land; pollination; biological control; desease
Factors such as the neglect of water
to be moving in opposite directions. sources, and helping it return to its nat- and epidemic control.
management commitments to main-
tain groundwater levels compliant with ural functioning cannot be negotiated
Amidst the increasing rate of population
established tolerance limits, character- anymore.
growth and the world economic turno-
ver that is rapidly increasing, exploita- istics of land in Kalimantan – 32% of Therefore, there are two key points that
tion of natural resources is on the rise which is peat (prone to burning) and must be considered in this new para-
as well. As a result, the carrying capacity the lack of early detection and warning digm, namely conservation and com-
of nature is increasingly limited. Biodi- systems, are often seen as factors influ- munity involvement. It is no longer suf-
versity is slowly being pushed into ex- encing land and forest fires to a large ficient to run ad hoc sectoral projects to HABITAT / SUPPORT SERVICES
tinction as habitats are confined in what extent. tackle forest and land fires which only
experts call a 'positive feedback cycle'. Seed planting; maintenance of biodiversity.
However, it is difficult to deny that slash rely on fire-fighting projects.
A cycle in which the over exploitation of and burn agricultural methods, forest
nature and the misuse of forests make This new paradigm must also emphasize
land conversions and illegal logging the understanding that all aspects of
them vulnerable and increases carbon which result in components that cause
emissions which in turn contributes to ecosystems in nature play an important
fires easily (combustible material, forest
global warming and climate change. role and interact symbiotically (espe-
logging waste, low water holding capac-
One of the results of which are forest ity of soil and large open areas) are the cially humans) in order to allow nature
fires which then leads back to vulnera- main causes of forest fires in Indonesia, to perform various functions, physical
bility of land and existing forests to var- particularly in Kalimantan. - such as water infiltration; chemical -
ious natural and anthropogenic factors.
These main factors have accumulated
such as the process of oxidation; and CULTURAL SERVICES
biological - such as photosynthesis.
Among the many impacts of forest and over the years, posing serious problems Panorama; recreation and tourism; inspiration for art;
land degradation, forest and land fires ecosystem. The ecosystem referred to The return to normal functioning of the cultural heritage; use for religious and spiritual purposes;
(karhutla) are the most complex prob- in this case is a community of organisms ecosystem is what gives space and time science and education.
lems faced by Indonesia. Over the dec- that live together (including humans) for nature to heal itself. Most important-
ades, it has been transformed into an with non-living components in their ly, it helps restore ecosystem services,
annual disaster of ever-increasing size, environment — air, water, soil miner- which in itself supports the prevention
and presents enormous ecological, eco- als — that interact, are mutually relat- of forest and land fires and maintains
nomic, and health challenges. ed, as a single system (Diaz et al, 2006). ecological and economic balance. Infographic source: Science Books for Indonesian Biodiversity
8 | NATURA | October 2020 9 | NATURA | October 2020
Cover Story
Examining the Source
of Fire
A
fter the massive forest and land 11.2 million ha, and Papua constituting reserves on the planet.
fires (karhutla) disaster in 2015, 10.8 million. The characteristics of peat-
In its publication entitled Indonesia
the fires in 2019 is an event that lands, weather patterns, and the high
Economic Quarterly Reports (IEQ), the
should be noted and learned a lesson potential land use conflicts for social,
World Bank said that, unlike boreal for-
from. Based on data from the Ministry economic, and business interests are a
est fires in North America, land and for-
of Environment and Forestry, approxi- few factors that determine the extent
est fires in Indonesia, as in C. Kaliman-
mately 1.6 million ha of forest and land of ARTs.
tan, are anthropogenically initiated and
in this country were ablaze. Of the total
Karhutla 2019 also caused enormous has become a chronic problem since
area, around 317,749 ha lie in C. Kali-
EXAMINING
economic losses. Among the affected 1997. Burning is considered as one of
mantan Province. This figure is more
provinces, C. Kalimantan suffered the the cheapest options for preparing land
than twice the area of forest and land
most, with the largest loss of all prov- for cultivation or for claiming land in
that caught fire between 2016-2018 in
inces in Indonesia, of around IDR 11.4 disputed areas, where land tenure is
the province. The combined 2019 for-
THE SOURCE OF
trillion (US $ 820 million) or 7.9 percent uncertain and law enforcement is weak.
est and land fires in C. Kalimantan and
of its regional GDP. These losses have
South Sumatra, in fact, contributed to This is met with the fact that tropical
long-term effects that tend to persist in
FIRE
around 40% of the total forest and land rainforests in Indonesia often face dry
the form of reduced consumption and
burned. weather over periods of time, along
lower levels of investment. Karhutla in
with the impacts of climate change.
Based on the findings of the Yayasan C. Kalimantan has also resulted in thou-
Madani Berkelanjutan published in sands of people experiencing respirato- Head of Borneo Nature Indonesia, Ju-
May 2020, C. Kalimantan is also listed as ry problems, not to mention the social liarta B Ottay, said that apart from hu-
one of the five provinces that need to and economic impacts directly faced by man influences, factors such as the
provide special attention to forest and locals. Furthermore, ecologically, forest neglect of water management commit-
land fire prevention because it has the and land fires also destroy habitats and ments set to maintain the water level in
largest of fire prone area (ART) of 12.8 biodiversity in forest areas and contrib- accordance with tolerance limits, and
million ha. The other four provinces ute to tons of carbon emissions stored the characteristics of land in C. Kalim-
that are considered to have high ART in the peat domes in the province, antan constituting 19% peat, cannot be
Mohamad Burhanudin are West Kalimantan with an area of which are some of the largest carbon ignored as factors that play a key role
C
entral Kalimantan is a real portrait of the characteristics and vulnerability of forest and land fires in
Indonesia. With the arrival of each dry season, thousands of hectares of forests and land burn at an Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan were the provinces most affect-
increasingly large scale and impact. Various countermeasures have been taken, various research and ed relative to the size of the economy
innovations have been produced, however, disasters keep repeating themselves.
10% 1000
8% 800 Damage and Loss in USD
Million
6% 600
4% 400
Damage and Loss, per-
centage in Regional GDP
2% 200
0%
Central South South Riau West Jambi East Papua
Kalimantan Sumatra Kalimantan Kalimantan Kalimantan
Photo: Edwin Shri Bimo Source: World Bank staff analysis, 2019
10 | NATURA | October 2020 11 | NATURA | October 2020
Cover Story
Examining the Source
of Fire
Recapitulation Area of Forest and Land Fires (Ha)
Central Kalimantan Province 2015-2020
600.000
in influencing forest and land fires in C. area is relatively green and protect- Development should not always be fires and forest loss.
Source: http://sipongi.menlhk.go.id/hotspot/luas_kebakaran
Kalimantan in the dry season. ed from fires. The minimal number of identified with infrastructure and road
500.000 This means that solving the forest and
“Peat has characteristics that are very roads and population allows this area network development. It is necessary land fire problem cannot stand alone.
flammable. With these characteristics, to be relatively protected from fire and to find alternative modes of transporta- There must be integration with regional
combined with intentional or uninten-
400.000 exploitation. tion to avoid the destruction of forests. development strategies as well as na-
tional burning by humans and the dry "HoB is the real forests remain. To pro- River transportation is probably a better tional development. If not, maybe in a
300.000
season, forest fires can easily occur in C. tect it, we shouldn’t build too many choice for this island, especially for ar- century the forests in Kalimantan will
Kalimantan or across the island in gen- roads," said Darmae. eas around forests, in order to prevent find the point of extinction.
583.833,44
317.749,00
47.432,57
200.000
eral," said Juliarta.
1.564,00
6.148,42
1.743,82
Merti Ilona, Head of Pollution and Envi- 100.000
ronmental Damage Control, C. Kaliman-
tan Environment Agency, said that 50%
0
of the areas where fires occurred in Kali- 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
mantan was in C. Kalimantan and 80% Hotspot Distribution Map Hotspot Distribution Map
of the total area occurred on peatlands. Kalimantan in 2015 Kalimantan in 2019
Considering this, he further added that
talking about forest and land fires in C.
Kalimantan is synonymous to discussing Yayasan Madani Berkelanjutan, pub- mental conservation vis-à-vis economic
the importance of peatlands. lished in May 2020. According to this development. Fires usually start with
agency, the majority of forest and land open or closed land use and ownership
"The area of C. Kalimantan is 1.2 times fires in 2019 (54.88%) occurred in forest conflicts.
the island of Java, of which one-fifth areas. Fires in forest areas were dom-
is peat. It's not easy to supervise and “For example, the government desig-
inated by fires in production forests
monitor it," said Merti. nates a forest as a conservation area,
(permanent, limited, conversion) which
but many people lose their source of
Unlike on mineral soils, fires in peat had an area of 61.5%. However, conser-
livelihood as they are restricted from
forests are more difficult to extinguish vation and protected forest areas were
entering these areas. The result of
once they begin to burn and these fires still experiencing fires, namely 25.2%
which is generally conflict and force
release thick haze and carbon into the and 13.3%, respectively. The majority
people to burn surrounding areas to
atmosphere. The composition of peat- of fires in production forests (58.97%)
clear forests for agricultural purposes as
lands contributes to the fact that car- occurred in areas that had been grant-
an alternative livelihood,” said Darmae.
bon emissions from forest and land fires ed large-scale permits or concessions,
in 2019 in Indonesia were estimated to namely oil palm plantations, industri- He added that, ideally conservation and
economic needs should go together. Comparison of the number of hotspots in 2015
be almost double that of the forest fires al plantation forests-IUPHHK HT, and
logging-IUPHHK HA. Among the three The conservation area should also pro- & 2019. Confidence> 80%
in the Amazon, Brazil in the same year
(World Bank, 2019). types of permits or concessions, the vide livelihood opportunities for local
largest fires occurred in industrial plan- communities. Road Network Map Month Number of Number of
Although peatlands burn easily, they tation forest permit areas (51.57%). Kalimantan Hotspots in 2015 Hotspots in 2019
cannot burn by themselves. Professor Distribution of the road infrastructure January 13 6
These data indicate that corporations
of the Faculty of Forestry, Bogor Agricul- network is also suspected to have influ-
holding concessions also need to be February 15 26
tural Institute, Bambang Hero Saharjo, enced the expansion of forest and land
more seriously involved in fire preven- March 27 51
said that he often monitors hotspots fires in C. Kalimantan. Based on the road
tion efforts. April 11 16
from satellites, and it turns out that infrastructure map in the province, new
many fires are found in relatively the Conservation vs economic road networks are seen in the southern May 16 36
same locations from year to year, in- Head of the Technical Implementation regions, where several fire hotspots June 27 34
cluding in concession areas owned by Unit (UPT) of the Peatlands Laboratory have been observed in recent years, July 713 193
corporations. That, according to him, (LLG), Center for International Cooper- such as Pulang Pisau, Sampit, Kapuas, August 4796 2043
means that corporations have been ne- ation on Sustainable Management of and Palangka Raya.
September 10103 9686
glected in their concession areas (Tem-
Tropical Peatlands (CIMTROP), Darmae In contrast, in the northern regions, October 8131 640
po.co, August 15, 2019).
Nasir, revealed that the issue of forest around the Heart of Borneo (HoB) area, November 512 738
The indications conveyed by Bambang fires is actually a part of a human dilem- road network development appears to
December 76 10
are in line with the data compiled by the ma in the present times, i.e. environ- be much less. At the same time, the
Total 24440 13479
Source: GIS BNF
12 | NATURA | October 2020 13 | NATURA | October 2020
Cover Story
Considering a
Paradigm Shift
CONSIDERING A PARADIGM SHIFT
happiness we felt at that point in time. the surface even though on the surface, Professor of the Faculty of Forestry, Bo-
Our friends shed tears; others prostrat- the fires appear to be extinguished. gor Agricultural University, Bambang
ed to the skies above. God finally in- Hero Saharjo, said that putting out fires
So far, the facts prove that forest and
tervened through rain and put out the using heavy equipment are still consid-
Mohamad Burhanudin land fires on peat are only really extin-
fires, "said Marta. ered the best solutions to control forest
guished by rain. Firefighting efforts are and land fires. Extinguishing fires are
Handling forest and land fires has been prioritized for fire extinguishing efforts which have absorbed a large budget and Extinguishing peat fires in the dry sea- only temporary measures, putting out still the ideal method of control, even
proven to only stop fires temporarily. It is time to prioritize conservation-based prevention and community involvement to son is not easy. As peat is the accumu- the fires for a short period, while even- though they are more cost intensive
develop more effective and sustainable countermeasure management. lation of dried plant debris, it serves as tually waiting for the rain to cease them than preventing them. In 2019, more
a fuel that can store residual fires below completely. than half of the funds from the National
At noon in mid-October 2019, the sun Disaster Management Agency, amount-
shone its brightest in the skies above ing to IDR 6.7 trillion was spent on con-
the Sebangau forest. The afternoon Revegetation trolling fires (ForestDigest, 2020).
Rewetting Seedlings Nursery
heat mixed with smoke filled the air. Dam building/canal blocking There is nothing wrong with using heavy
Reforestation
Among the blackened peat vegetation Waterpump Natural regeneration equipment to put out a fire. However,
that had burned, Marta Bina and 20 the use of such equipment has added
members of the firefighting patrol team impacts; it is not only expensive but also
in Sebangau forest could only stand and de-motivates people to take fast action
stare at what was unfurling in front of to extinguish fires. People tend to rely
them. on helicopters to arrive with water to
“That afternoon, the fire really couldn't fight fires on their land. However, they
be put out any longer. Just a few hun- not informed of the schedule for the
dred meters ahead of us, the flames arrival of helicopters as governmental
burned the peatlands so rapidly that aid, but meanwhile, the fires spread ex-
they formed a straight line along two panding the area of damage as there is
kilometers of the Sebangau peat forest. a lack of immediate intervention on the
Only a miracle could extinguish it, " he ground.
said. A prevention-based approach
Marta and his friends were tired. For Considering these conditions, there
months, starting from early June, they needs to be a shift in paradigm for han-
had been fighting fires with other com- dling forest and land fires, i.e. from be-
munity groups, institutions, and securi- ing prepared to extinguish fires to alerts
ty forces. However, the fire showed no Revitalization Reducing Fire for prevention. Government Regulation
signs of cessation on Sebangau's peat. Agriculture Education, economic empowerment, Number 45, 2004 concerning Forest
And on that particular day, the fire was Fishery land clearing without burning, and law
Ecotourism enforcement. Protection in Article 20 paragraph (1)
completely out of control. states clearly that to prevent and limit
The firefighting team together with forest damage due to fire is to control
the local community hoped that there it. Control includes prevention, suppres-
would be assistance with extinguishing sion and post-fire management.
the fires by means of helicopters to at Prevention of fire, extinguishing when
least inhibit the rate of spread of the Se- it occurs, and post-fire management
bangau fire, like had been done a few include two main points: strict law en-
days prior. However, help did not come. forcement against arsonists whether
An hour passed; the situation reversed. intentional or negligent, and rehabilita-
Dense, dark clouds suddenly rolled to tion of burned land.
fill the skies over Sebangau. Eventually, According to Mark Harrison, Research
rain lashed over the forest, arresting the Fighting - A member of the CIMTROP Patrol Team Hendri is trying to extinguish the Director of Borneo Nature Foundation
fires and leaving only a black line along remains of fire around the CIMTROP Natural Peat Forest Laboratory (LAHG) Sebangau. (BNF) International, preventing fires
the burned ground and large clouds of (Photo: Edwin Shri Bimo) in land and forests, especially on peat-
smoke. “We find it hard to express the lands, is not easy. However, these ef-
14 | NATURA | October 2020 15 | NATURA | October 2020
Cover Story
Considering a Harvesting Honey,
Paradigm Shift Reaping Sustainability
ties for agricultural purposes. Education communities that cannot be met on dry
HARVESTING HONEY,
and awareness, economic empower-
ment, socialization of alternative land
clearing techniques without burning
land to peatlands providing alternative
livelihoods. REAPING SUSTAINABILITY
and law enforcement against repeat Together with other institutions, BRG
Mohamad Burhanudin
perpetrators involved in burning land is currently trying to provide space for
can majorly contribute to the reduction the use of peatlands for communities
Forest communities are at the forefront of conservation and prevention of forest and land fires. Therefore, efforts to strength-
of fires. without having to abandon conserva-
en their socio-economy aspects are needed so that they are more empowered to protect the nearby forests.
tion principles. BRG conducts periodic
Back on site wetting of the existing peat by adjusting
The prevention paradigm rests on two the water level, e.g. installation of water The morning was just turning into the noon when the water
Treatment--Nursery staff, Unyil, is preparing main integrated approaches: conserva- pumps and bore wells. In this way, peat
houses for watering at Ruslan's nursery, Seban- of the Kahayan River seemed to spill a little into the village
tion and community engagement. This can potentially be used as a medium for
gau, Palangka Raya City. (Photo: Yohanes Praha- road where is right on the edge of the river. The road seemed
can be started at the smallest commu- planting. These efforts require prepara-
ra / BNF) inundated to its feet. This year, the dry season is a bit wet. The
nal unit, which are villages. Forest and tion of peat by adding a combination of upper reaches of the Kahayan river pour more water down-
forest fire management must be imple- organic and mineral fertilizers, and min-
forts are the best option. He proposed stream.
mented in villages around conservation eral rich soil to the exiting peat.
four concepts as a preventive approach
areas through what is known as the site However, this situation could not undermine the enthusi-
known as the 4Rs, namely Rewetting, "The experience and success of vegeta-
approach: village base integrated land asm of a dozen residents of Tambak Village, Banama Tingang
Revegetation, Revitalization, and Re- ble farmers cultivating thick peat soils in
use management. District, Pulang Pisau Regency, Central Kalimantan, to come
duction. the area of the Slamet River, Pontianak
To increase understanding and imple- to the house of Efendi, Chairman of the Village Forest Man-
Fires below the surface of peatlands using hydroponics, is a positive exam- agement Agency (LPHD) Tambak. That afternoon, they will
ment this new approach, new ways of
occur when the water level is not high ple," said Azwar. discuss the development of kelulut honey management that
socialization are required. Although it is
enough. The land becomes dry and they have initiated since seven months ago. Most of them are
important that the legal approach needs BNF together with the Center for Inter-
therefore burns easily, sometimes fires housewives.
effective implementation, it should not national Cooperation in the Sustaina-
burn so deep as to burn lower layers of
be considered as the only one. Sociali- ble Management of Tropical Peatlands "This kelulut honey management activity awakens the enthu-
dry peatlands. In such cases, fires also
zation must be directed more towards (CIMTROP), for example, have in re- siasm of housewives to be active in filling their spare time,"
spread more easily.
the prohibition of clearing new areas by cent years pursued activities such as said Efendi.
In the past, land clearing and illegal log- prioritizing the principle of empower- building dams and drilling wells in the
ging in peat forests were often accom- ment, such that communities are willing Since March 2020, the residents have formed a social forestry
Sebangau forest area in order to en-
panied by the construction of canals. to voluntarily be involved in protecting business group (KUPS) to cultivate kelulut honey. Kelulut hon-
sure that forests remain wet and to re-
These canals drain the peat very quickly forests, both from fire, encroachment, ey was chosen because it best fits the natural potential and in-
charge groundwater. These efforts are
as it accelerates the peat water being and misuse. terests of local residents. There are 16 members in this KUPS.
absorbed into the rivers. Therefore, also complemented with a community
At the village level, there is a need for development program, which encour- In the management of kelulut honey, they are assisted by the
these canals need to be dammed. So
an agency or institution that manages ages people to protect forests around Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF), a forestry extension agent
that the peat forest remains wet in the
the environment. This is not regulated them through environmentally based of the Central Kahayan Production Forest Management Unit
dry season.
by legislation at the village level, but in economic benefits under social forestry (KPHP), and assisted by the Social Forestry Partnership and
Restoring burned forests is the next fact it is possible to establish it. So far, schemes. Environment Agency (BPSKL) Kalimantan Region. To gain skills
preventive step that needs to be taken. villages often do not know which ones in farming and managing kelulut honey, residents attended
Good forest regeneration facilitates the are included within a conservation/pro- Prevention efforts require time, large several days of training in Dayak Village in 2019. This training
environment to function normally and tected area and which lie outside. As a resources, and better support and im- activity was facilitated by BNF.
provide services in the form of natural result, when forest fires occur, people plementation of policies for their impact
resources, regulation of natural cycles, tend to care less. to be significant. However, in general, After the training, the residents immediately put it into prac-
habitat and cultural services, including prevention is the most cost effective tice by trying to cultivate as many as 20 stups (bee houses)
Chairman of the Peat Restoration Agen- through BNF assistance. These stups have been cultivated in
reduced vulnerability to fires. and sustainable measure. The key lies in
cy (BRG), Azwar Maas, said that the a number of residential yards. Bee seeds are obtained directly
However, this concept needs to be ac- government remains consistent in pro- the political will to reduce fires and the
consistency of policy makers, togeth- from nature by taking seeds from the colony without destroy-
companied by one more R, Reduction tecting peat from fires. BRG is further Harvesting Honey - The Head of the Village Forest Management
er with sustainable and reliable efforts ing the hive and taking seeds in moderation.
of fire. Efforts to prevent fires need to actively involved in preventing the mis- Board (LPHD) Tambak Efendi, who is also one of the initiator of ke-
ensure that land clearing through burn- use of peat and attempts at burning. from both local communities, non-gov- "Within two months, the bees immediately produce honey. lulut honey cultivation in the village, harvests honey from stubs or bee
ing must be controlled, both for indus- One method implemented by them in ernmental organizations, and the pri- Now, after seven months, we can develop it into 60 kelulut boxes. (Photo: M. Burhanudin / BNF)
trial plantations and by local communi- this regard is through shifting needs of vate sector. huts, "said Efendi.
16 | NATURA | October 2020 17 | NATURA | October 2020
Research
Harvesting Honey, & Science
Reaping Sustainability
always experience fires during the dry
LINKING RESEARCH
season, either because of the deliberate
factor of clearing land or by accident. TO CONSERVATION
"Since 2017, the forest has been rela- Namrata B. Anirudh
tively well preserved. In the last three
years, forest timber theft has only Ecosystems are never static. It keeps changing and evolving over time. To understand it properly, research is needed, includ-
occurred once. Land clearing can no ing how to conserve and protect it from extinction.
longer be done carelessly. To protect
the forest, residents take turns doing
I
patrols,”explained Mujiyanto.
t is often asked, “why waste funds and
To strengthen forest stewardship, res- time on research if you are working
Ready to Sell - Packaged honey produced from the cultivation of kelulut honey in idents formed Masyarakat Peduli Api in habitat and wildlife conservation”
Tambak Village, Banama Tingang District, Pulang Pisau Regency. (Photo: Yuliana (MPA), whose structure consists of or “by doing research (especially long-
Nona / BNF) village officials, village representative term), how will you ever end up con-
councils, and village government. Apart serving anything?” It makes me think,
from arranging a schedule for patrolling what would happen to the health care
In the last seven months, out of the and burn the land around the cultiva- forest fires, MPA also conducted social- industry if they are posed with the same
60 stups, the residents have harvested tion site because it could it can trigger ization on how to properly use and pro- questions, especially in times where
three times. Each harvest an average the bees to leave the cultivation box. In tect forests. new pathogens are surfacing.
of 10 liters of honey is produced. The addition, to support kelulut productivity
honeys from the harvest are packaged in producing honey, residents also plant These efforts have not run without ob- As we humans proceed in the name of
in bottles of various sizes, ranging from flowering and fruitful plants as food for stacles. Mujiyanto said there were three economic development and food secu-
100 ml, 200 ml, to 1 lt. The bottles and kelulut bees. problems in protecting the forest from rity, tremendous pressures build on the
label stickers came from BPSKL Kaliman- fire and theft. First, residents are busy at availability of land and resources where
"It is also intended as an effort to work. Second, it is difficult to reach vil- biodiversity and existing strongholds for
tan assistance. Apart from bottles and
strengthen people's food security. In lage forests and relatively long distanc- a vast number of species of flora and
stickers, BPSKL also provided assistance
addition, planting trees, food plants es. Third, the limitations of fire fighting fauna experience exceptionally high
for honey harvesting tools imported di-
and flowers is carried out so that con- levels of threat. Ecosystems therefore,
rectly from Banjarmasin. facilities, such as water pumps.
servation values are upheld so that the are not static, they continuously evolve
"For now, our honey sales are only in sustainability of the results can be ob- "Initially it was difficult to face these and change, reinforcing the need for
this village. In the future, if we have cul- tained, "said Nona. obstacles. However, after continuous research to understand these systems
tivated more stups, we will sell them to socialization, over time the residents and know what we aim to protect.
Take care of the forest
markets to other regions. We collect the gradually began to know and become
money from sales first as capital to raise Tambak Village officially received a vil- aware of the importance of protecting As a researcher, I myself, apart from
this kelulut honey business,”said Efendi. lage forest certificate from the govern- the forest,” he said. many publications I have read and pres-
ment in December 2016 for 500 hec- entations that I have attended end by
Although economically they have not However, he also hopes that in the fu- saying ‘more research is required’. This
tares of forest land. The forest is located
received direct benefits, residents are ture the government will help residents further shows, that although we are
about seven kilometers from their vil-
optimistic that in the future their busi- in protecting the forest, one of which is able to get some answers, questions
lage. Apart from cultivating kelulut hon-
ness will develop. For now, they can at by providing more adequate means of continue to arise through this continu-
ey, to manage village forests through
least taste the sweetness and nutrition transportation and forest fighting, such um of change and time.
the concept of social forestry, residents
of honey directly from their cultivation. as water pumps. He also hopes that
also carry out a number of activities, in- It is also often seen that habitat or
"This business is still new. Now we still cluding establishing and activating for- there will be greater capital assistance
for cultivating this kelulut honey. wildlife conservation is focussed on
need to learn how to cultivate honey est guard posts and carrying out regular the species or the protection of the
properly. I am sure that it will continue patrols in the forest. "Currently, alhamdulillah cultivation is habitat solely based on the threatened
to grow,”said Susana, a member of the running well even though production
Tambak Village Secretary Mujiyanto fauna and flora. It is often forgotten or
Tambak KUPS. is limited. If in the future the results of
revealed, before social forestry was im- ignored that humans are a part of this
BNF's Community Empowerment Co- plemented, logging often took place in this kelulut cultivation generate greater ecosystem where there is dependency
ordinator Yuliana Nona revealed that the forests near his village, either for economic resources, I am sure, the resi- Set Traps - BNF Biodiversity Coordinator Iwan is setting traps to catch butterflies at on such areas especially by local com-
in cultivating this kelulut honey, she the purpose of collecting wood or clear- dents will be more eager to protect the LAHG CIMTROP Sebangau. (Photo: Yohanes Prahara / BNF) munities. In addition, development and
advised residents not to use chemicals ing fields on a shifting basis. Forests also forest," said Mujiyanto. economic pressures on land is increas-
18 | NATURA | October 2020 19 | NATURA | October 2020Research
& Science
ingly becoming inevitable and, in some
cases, even justified. This again enforc-
es the need for research, to understand
and justify the benefits of biological di-
versity compared to solely focussing on
human benefits from economic devel-
opment (Lubchenco et al., 1991). Iden-
tification and surveying potential High
Conservation Value (HCV) and High
Carbon Storage (HCS) areas within con-
cessions and plantations that BNF is un-
dertaking in collaboration with partner
institutions is one such example where
research can be applied. Smaller indi-
vidual research projects supported by
the organisation focusses on ethnobot-
any, impacts of anthropogenic activities
on biodiversity through bio-acoustics,
forest regeneration and peat conser-
vation studies post fires also contribute
to identifying impacts and relationships
between humans and biodiversity. Two BNF field staff are collecting data at the CIMTROP Sebangau LAHG for scientific research
needs. (Photo: Duncan Andrew Murrell)
Another factor supporting the need
for research in conservation is related
to the term of ‘replication’, i.e. it is not out research, such differences would it has been for a while and becoming formulating conservation action plans conservation measures applied. Per- the white bearded gibbon. Wide rang-
necessarily true that if research is con- remain speculations and therefore extremely necessary for research in for the regions through a multi-stake- haps most importantly, evidence-based ing biodiversity and forestry research
ducted and questions are answered would prove difficult to apply appropri- ecology and behaviour to have direct holder approach, satisfying their needs, conservation provides a methodologi- (phenology surveys, peat studies, forest
about one area or situation it can be ap- ate conservation measures. relevance to conservation (Srivastava, but yet establishing a compromise be- cal standard in conservation that will in- regeneration studies post fires and bio-
plied to another. It is this complexity of 2002). tween development, land use, econom- crease integrity with funders and policy diversity surveys) is used to provide an
several confounding variables that are In the world of research and science,
ic growth and ecosystem or biodiversity makers (Pulin & Knight, 2003) impacting evidence base to inform conservation
different and unique to specific areas abilities and technology evolve debunk- Research in ecology and conservation is
protection. the sustainability of conservations pro- strategies and demonstrate the impacts
that further encourages more studies. ing old findings that may require re-test- multi-faceted ranging from biodiversity
grammes. of anthropogenic activities and impacts
This answers another commonly asked ing or that support and make research surveys to gain a better understanding In addition, research supports an ev- such as logging, climate change-fires
question “what is the point of doing the more effective and robust to answer of species presence, distribution and idence-based approach to conserva- BNF was established with the aim of and forest conversion.
same research for years repeatedly in important questions. For instance, a abundance in a given area, forest struc- tion planning and management. With protecting some of the most important
different areas when there is available collaborative research project by BNF, ture and habitat restoration studies changing and evolving ecosystems and areas of tropical rainforests in Borneo Research conducted by BNF is tailored
literature on the research topic itself CIMTROP-UPR and University of Exe- and using key species (e.g. the critically human influences, conservation strat- by safeguarding wildlife, the environ- to addressing questions and issues
and general ecological theories can be ter is testing the application of thermal endangered or threatened species) to egies require active management of ment and indigenous cultures through in each area of work comprising of
applied to particular issues”. sensor drones to identify orangutan conserve their habitat at large by un- landscapes, habitats and species that conservation and research. Several field unique, habitat, biodiversity and hu-
nests that could potentially support or derstanding their ecosystem services need to be addressed in good mul- programmes run by BNF with its many man-influenced issues or pressures on
To elaborate on this, consider the issue replace traditional nest survey meth- and functions of the area. the existing forests. The research is used
ti-stakeholder conservation manage- partner institutions and collaborations
of fires in a peat swamp habitat and a ods and BNF along with its partner CI- to provide an evidence base to inform
Research has also spread to more an- ment plans. These plans are created with various relevant government bod-
heath forest—although the issue are MTROP-UPR are implementing thermal conservation strategies and demon-
thropological aspects of conservation and based on available information and ies and local communities, involves
the fires itself—the impact (long-term) drones to detect hotspot for fires in key strate the impacts of anthropogenic
to better understand human motives experience. high-quality scientific research as a ba-
maybe very different on each forest areas for biodiversity. activities and impacts such as logging,
type e.g. forest regeneration in heath and perceptions with relation to forests sis for protecting and management for-
The absence of informed or updated climate change-fires and forest conver-
forests maybe much slower compared Most importantly, research is a tool to and wildlife. The shift to a more holis- ests.
research findings and appropriate sci- sion. Research projects are conducted
with peat forests. However, the losses answer questions regarding species, tic approach in research incorporating entific evidence often leads to these Research is carried out with particular through training and capacity building
caused by forest fires to peat would be habitat and issues posing threat to exist- several stakeholders and implement- plans being based on traditional man- expertise in monitoring distribution, for local students, researchers and con-
much greater in the swamp areas as op- ing ecosystems. While a lot of research ing various methodology provides a agement practices that may not neces- population trends and behavioural servation-managers to ensure sustain-
posed to heath, having subsequent im- is academically important and needed deeper understanding of the situation sarily be solely effective in the changing ecology of Borneo’s flagship species ability of implemented conservation
pacts on the ecosystem. However, with- for the development of the discipline, at hand which eventually supports in times, impacting the sustainability of such as the Bornean orangutan and plans.
20 | NATURA | October 2020 21 | NATURA | October 2020You can also read
