90 percent of orangutans live outside preserved forests: BKSDA

Pontianak (Antaranews Kalbar) - Some 90 percent of the orangutan population are living outside preserved forests and are exposed to conflicts with humans, according to the Natural Resource Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of West Kalimantan.

"To protect the orangutan population, we need a joint commitment to preserve its habitat," an official of the agency Lidia Lili stated here on Friday.

Orangutans are currently only found in the rainforests of Kalimantan and Sumatra, and some in Malaysia, Lili pointed out.

"With the expansion of human settlements, construction of roads to open isolated areas, and expansion of plantation and mining activities, living spaces for orangutans have shrunk," she added.

Lili believes all parties should synergize efforts to minimize the impact of human activities on the orangutan habitat.

In the efforts to preserve orangutans, the agency has invited all stakeholders, including policymakers, non-governmental organizations, academicians, and business operators in plantation and mining, to discuss the life of orangutans in multifunctional landscapes.

"It means that in protecting orangutans, we need support from all parties, as we cannot work alone," she emphasized.

Earlier, acting Manager of Protected and Conserved Areas for Orangutan of WWF-Indonesia Albertus Tjiu noted that establishment of the Essential Conservation Area (KEE), which has been discussed by related institutions will help in achieving the national target in the orangutan and bekantan (proboscis monkey) preservation action plan.

Reporting by Andilala

(S022/INE)