The Sumatran orangutan is currently one of the most critically endangered species in Indonesia and in the world, and their survival is in major state of crisis. These orangutans are found in the ecological area of the Leuser Ecosystem, which contains the Gunung Leuser National Park, the largest area of rainforest habitat left for the Sumatran orangutan. Currently the habitat of the Sumatran orangutan is seriously being threatened by a number of dangerous variables. The number of Sumatran orangutans has decreased from over 12,000 to 7,300 since 1994. If drastic measures are not made soon, the future of the Sumatran orangutan is grim. It is predicted that they could be totally extinct in less than 10 years. Since the tsunami of December 26th, 2004, the threats towards the survival of the Sumatran orangutan have increased and multiplied, potentially adding orangutans to the list of victims from the catastrophic tsunami that hit Southeast Asia last year.
Prior to the Tsunami, the Sumatran orangutan population faced challenges such as illegal logging and the deliberate starting of forest fires in order to convert virgin forest to timber and palm oil plantations, the illegal pet trade, and the development and planning of the Ladia Galaska roads project in Northern Sumatra. This road system will run through 100 kilometers of protected forest, and cut through an area of conservation forest, including the Leuser Ecosystem. If the roads will be built as planned, the Leuser ecosystem would be divided up into 9 segments. Completion of the roads would allow even easier access for the illegal loggers as well as having serious climatic and environmental effects. Since the construction of the roads have started, there have been landslides and flashfloods that indicate the land is not suitable for road building. To continue to building of the Ladia Galaska roads as planned would be ludicrous and there are alternative routes proposed that could be constructed with less of a negative environmental impact.
However dangerous pre-tsunami threats were to the Sumatran Orangutans, now imagine those threats increased, multiplied, and growing. The largest contributor to these threats is the increased economic pressure and desperation felt by those affected by the tsunami in the Aceh region. There has been an increase in illegal logging in Northern Sumatra and also an increase in the illegal pet trade driven by economic disparity. Through the process of reconstruction, there is high pressure on local forest resources, especially timber. The environmental impact this has on the Leuser Ecosystem is devastating and threatening to the orangutans inhabiting the rainforests. Other threats exist such as the migration of people and communities into the mountain and forest areas due to post-traumatic fears towards the sea and another tsunami disaster. The government has not yet approved this migration and the refugees are without any means of livelihood in the mountains. In the case that permanent settlements occur in these areas, resources will certainly be taken from the forest.
Although there are clearly major environmental stresses in Indonesia post-tsunami, we cannot ignore the fact that people are facing increased economic stresses like never before. There are families who need food, shelter, and clothing and when faced with survival can become indifferent to issues such as the Sumatran orangutan and their habitat or environmental crisis. Can we blame them? People have lost their homes, families, land, rice fields, fishing boats, livelihoods, and faith. However, we can feel hopeful that there are sustainable solutions that exist.
There are many organizations out there that are seeking solutions, workable policies, and reconstruction and rehabilitation activities based on sustainable development. The redevelopment process can be less destructive to the Leuser Ecosystem than it is at present. Addressing these threats in the wake of the tsunami is crucial to the survival of the Sumatran Orangutan, the Leuser Ecosystem, and the long-term well being of the Sumatran Tsunami survivors. One of many organizations already addressing such issues is SOS, Sumatran orangutan Society. Some suggested solutions and initiatives by SOS have been:
- Increase education and raise awareness towards the critical environmental dangers in Sumatra.
- Highlight appropriate reconstruction opportunities that don’t lead to unsustainable forest use and destruction of orangutan habitat.
- Advocate alternative livelihoods to minimize illegal logging and poaching by providing sustainable economic solutions.
- Increased public pressure and poitical will within the newly elected Indonesian government to oppose the Ladia Galaska roads project and other short sighted development initiatives.
- Petitioning against the LG roads.
For more information concerning the threats facing the Sumatran orangutan and how you can help please visit www.orangutans-sos.org
