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One of the world's largest paper companies plans to clear a large portion of unprotected forest in Indonesia being used as a sanctuary for critically endangered orangutans, according to environmental groups working in the area. Singapore-based Asia Pulp & Paper and a local joint venture partner, Sinar Mas Group, received a license to clear hundreds of hectares (acres) of trees just outside the Bukit Tigapuluh National Park on Sumatra island in May.
Last week Matthew at TreeHugger.com reported that $30 million in debt will be forgiven in exchange for increased forest protection in Sumatra. This is the largest debt relief for conservation agreement ever reached. What this means is that Indonesia will put $30 million over the next eight years into a trust fund, which will issue grants for forest conservation and restoration work on the island. That work is sorely needed, considering that in the past 20 years or so about 90 percent of the original forest cover has been removed due to logging or conversion to agriculture. That's simply unconscionable.
The Plight of the Orangutan
In 2004, the orangutan population on the Indonesian island of Sumatra was revised downwards from 7,501 to 6,600. The revision was necessary after the discovery that a large area of Aceh, which was thought to contain orangutans, did not contain any of these great apes. According to researchers, the 2004 estimated population on the island of Borneo, which is thought to contain around 54,000 orangutans, has probably declined as a result of a 10% loss in habitat between 2004 to 2008.
Basically the land that orangutans call home is disappearing so fast and as a result so are the orangutans due in large part to the production of palm oil.
What You Can Do to Help Orangutans
Adopt an Orangutan
By choosing to become an adoptive parent you will help to ensure that Fio, Grendon, Kesi, Lomon, Tara and Dodo, as well as over 900 other rescued orangutans will be looked after by the BOS Foundation. For as little as 30 cents a day, you can give these orangutans a future.
Don't Buy Products with Palm Oil
Palm oil is one of the main reasons for the destruction of the orangutan’s habitat. Help Orangutan Outreach identify products that come from palm oil in the supermarket and other shops. Go to your shop and look at products like ice cream, chocolate, margarine, toothpaste, soap, detergents and cosmetics and see if there is any mention that the product contains palm oil or the Latin Elaeis guineensis. Download this form and take it with you when you go shopping. Fill it out and email it to Orangutan Outreach. Tell your friends about palm oil and to avoid it too.
Donate to the Sumatran Orangutan Foundation
The Sumatran Orangutan Society relies on the generous support of concerned individuals to continue its vital conservation work to protect the critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan. Donate online to the foundation.
More on Orangutans:
Know Your Endangered Species?
Palm Oil Plantations Orphan Baby Orangutans & Leave Them Nowhere to Call Home
Orangutan Could be First Great Ape to Become Extinct
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