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| Unique Biodiversity
The Batang Toru forest harbours a high biodiversity and the only Sumatran orangutan population south of Lake Toba. Therefore we support the development of a sustainable management system for the entire area.
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In the West Batang Toru Forest Region WBTFB, lives the only viable population of Sumatran orangutans south of Lake Toba and outside the Leuser Ecosystem. The population comprises some 1000 individuals - a substantial number considering the overall number of wild Sumatran orangutans is no higher than 6'600 animals. The orangutans of Batang Toru have over time been cut off from their more northern relatives and could have developed unique genetic traits and patterns of behaviour. Sumatran tigers and Asiatic tapirs, both on the endangered species list, share this forest region and perhaps also the very rare and endangered Sumatran rhino. Therefore, we set up a simple research station at the Aek Haerulak river in 2006.
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The West Batang Toru Forest Block is threatened by illegal deforestation, hunting, poaching and uncontrolled cultivation by migrants. The most important goal of the Batang Toru conservation programme is the long-term conservation of the remaining southernmost population of Sumatran orangutans and in so doing, the tropical rainforest for countless other species of plants and animals. This requires a conservation strategy that is endorsed and supported by all stakeholders, particularly the local governments of the three affected districts that are North, South and Central Tapanuli.
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From production to protection forest
With
the three local district governments and other stakeholders we work to
establish a local level, multi-stakeholder management system for the
Batang Toru area. In 2007, working groups representing the main
stakeholders of the districts of North and South Tapanuli were
established and data on the socio-economic status of the villages
surrounding the Batang Toru forests has been compiled. In 2009, the
three District heads and the Government of North Sumatra province
requested a change in land status for most of the remaining primary
forest in the Batang Toru area to be changed from production forest to
protection forest. We are now waiting for a decision from the central
government on this crucial aspect that will determine the future of the
management of this area.
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Help us to protect the Batang Toru Forest Area and its unique biodiversity from logging!
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