PROTECTING LEUSER ECOSYSTEM FROM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES by Fardah

Jakarta, Jan 12, 2019 (Antara) - Leuser National Park is the last natural place on Earth, home to four mega fauna species of Sumatran rhinos (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii), Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris), and Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus).   
     Leuser is also a habitat for most fauna, ranging from mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians to fish and invertebrates. It is a region having the longest list of birds in the world, up to 380 species, with 350 of them found in this park, which is also home to owa (Hylobates lar) and kedih (Presbytis thomasi).

        Moreover, the Leuser Ecosystem (KEL) is also a national strategic area owing to its environmental functions, notably as sources of clean water and air. It mitigates disaster impacts, such as erosion, pest, and climate change. 
   The KEL covers over 2.6 million hectares of intact forest area located in 13 districts in Aceh Province and three districts in North Sumatra.    
   Of the 2.6 million hectares, some 2.25 million hectares are in Aceh Province, while the remaining 384 thousand hectares are in North Sumatra Province. 
  Inside the KEL are the Mount Leuser National Park, nature reserve area, protected forest, production forest, limited production forest, permanent production forest, and convertible production forest.

       The natural scenery in KEL is charming and diverse, ranging from natural green scenery, crystal clear river water, beautiful waterfalls, diverse life, and fresh air, to a variety of rare animals.

         Aceh's KEL is home to 8,500 plant species, 105 mammal species, and 382 bird species.

        However, the Leuser environment is being threatened by development activities, as over four million people of Aceh live in KEL. The area has also been encroached by land clearance to make way for plantation, industry, and roads.

CHINA LIFTING TIGER BONE BAN FEARED TO AFFECT SUMATRAN TIGERS by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 10, 2018  (Antara) - China's decision to reverse the 25-year ban on the trade of tiger bones and rhino horns has triggered an outcry from various conservation groups internationally and considered the move a regress in wildlife conservation efforts.

        In response to the move, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) issued a statement in Beijing on October 29, 2018, expressing its profound concern over China's announcement on the same day that it has legalized the use of tiger bones and rhino horns from captive-bred animals by hospitals and domestic trade in antique tiger and rhino products.

        "It is deeply concerning that China has reversed its 25-year-old tiger bone and rhino horn ban, allowing a trade that will have devastating consequences globally," Margaret Kinnaird, WWF Wildlife Practice Leader, affirmed.

        A similar concern was voiced by Greenpeace Africa's Senior Political Advisor Fredrick Njehu, saying that China's decision to reopen trade of rhino horns and tiger bones will not only reactivate the demand for rhino products but will also contribute to a rise in poaching and other illegal activities
   WWF and Greenpeace Africa urgently call on China to not only maintain their 1993 ban on tiger bone and rhino horn trade but to also extend it to cover trade in all tiger parts and products, regardless of whether they are from captive-bred or wild animals.

        An Indonesian environmentalist has also expressed his concern over China's decision to legalize tiger bone use for medicines, as it has the potential to trigger the poaching of Sumatran tigers.

        "For us, this is a regress and leads to bad impacts on conservation efforts in countries having wildlife. China has been viewed as an illegal importer and export destination of protected wildlife so far," Osmantri, coordinator of the Wildlife Crime Team, a working unit of the WWF program in Central Sumatra, stated in Pekanbaru, Riau, recently.

News Focus - PRESERVING EXOTIC NATIVE ORCHIDS OF PAPUA ISLAND by Fardah

 Jakarta, July 22, 2017 (Antara) - Visitors to Papua, Indonesia's easternmost island, would earlier hunt for the stuffed Bird of Paradise, or Passeriformes Paradisaeidae, locally called "Cenderawasih," and the very rare and exotic Black Orchid, or Ceologyne Pandurata, as souvenirs.
         Such practices no longer exist, as the government has placed a ban on them. Both the Bird of Paradise and Black Orchid are very rare and strictly protected.
         Black Orchid is one of the most wanted orchids in Indonesia and can also be found in the deep forests of Kalimantan, although the shape of the flower differs from that found in Papua.
         The form, color, and details of the Black Orchid are beautiful and unique. It has a honeyed tongue, and the petals emit a fresh fragrance.
         The Black Orchid derives its name from the brownish-black and purplish black color of its petals. The Black Orchid's petals are shaped in the form of a bright purple tongue.
         In fact, orchids are a part of Indonesia's natural wealth. More than six thousand species of orchids grow in Indonesia's rainforests, the second highest after Brazil.
         Of these species, some are endemic orchid varieties of Indonesia, which is home to various exotic and rare species of orchids.
         The number of the species continues to grow, as some new ones have been found in their natural habitat deep within the rainforests in Borneo, Sulawesi, and Papua.
         Apart from Black Orchids, Bulbophyllum Graveolens, or Papuan Orchid, is among the very rare and exotic species of orchids.
         Growing in the temperate forests of Papua, this orchid is also known as the Papuan Orchid. The plant is large, with the flower head measuring up to 10 inches.

PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY FOR A PROSPEROUS PAPUA by Fardah

Jakarta, Sept 10, 2016 (Antara) - The Agirway dancers of Papua performed the exquisite Ballads of Cendrawasih (Birds of Paradise) dance, marking the opening of an International Conference on Biodiversity, Eco-Tourism and Creative Economy (ICBE), and showcasing Papua's famed biodiversity.

         Indonesia's easternmost island of Papua is, in fact, often referred to as the last remaining fortress of the world's biodiversity.

         Held under the theme of "Biodiversity and Ecotourism, Papua Economic Solutions", a number of countries and international institutions participated in the conference held in Jayapura from September 7-10. 
    Discussions also revolved around the sub theme of "Utilize Natural Resources, Increase Livelihood, Protect the Golden Generation of Papua."
    An exhibition featuring 60 stands, and screening of 20 short films on Papua's culture and environment marked the conference.

         The gala opening ceremony was attended by Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia Stig Traavik and diplomats from the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Papua New Guinea, among others.

         Voicing high expectations, Papua Governor Lukas Enembe hoped the ICBE would boost the efforts to set up biodiversity parks and cultural parks to preserve the environment, particularly protect bird of Paradise, Papua's iconic bird.  

BENGKULU TO GROW RAFFLESIA TO BOOST ECOTOURISM by Fardah

     Jakarta, Sept 16 , 2015(Antara)- Bengkulu City, dubbed "The Land of Rafflesia," is hosting an international symposium on Rafflesia and Amorphophallus, two of the world's most charismatic yet endangered species, from September 14 to 16, 2015.

        Scientists and researchers from eight countries, including Japan, China, France, and Malaysia, are attending the symposium, which is being jointly organized by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), the Environmental Affairs and Forestry Ministry, and the Bengkulu administration.

         The meeting was originally planned to focus on Rafflesia, but later, the organizing committee decided to also include Amorphophallus as most of the people cannot distinguish between Rafflesia and Amorphophallus, which are among the world's rarest and largest flowers.

RAFFLESIA, AMORPHOPHALLUS FLOWERS TO BE PROMOTED AS BOTANICAL TREASURES by Fardah

    Jakarta, Oct 4, 2014 (Antara) - Bengkulu, which is dubbed "The Land of Rafflesia", is set to host an international symposium on Rafflesia and Amorphophallus flowers, the world's rarest and largest flowers, in September 2015.

        "Bengkulu has been chosen as the host city because the Bengkulu forest is home to Rafflesia and Amorphophallus flowers," researcher of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Sofi Mursidawati said in Bengkulu on Oct 3, 2014.

         The symposium, to be organized jointly by LIPI and the Bengkulu administration, was originally planned to focus on Rafflesia, but later the organizing committee decided to also include Amorphophallus,  because much of the public cannot distinguish between Rafflesia and Amorphophallus flowers.

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIODIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTS CRUCIAL ROLE OF WATER by Fardah

    Jakarta, May 21, 2013 (Antara) - On May 22, 2013, many countries including Indonesia are to observe the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) focusing on "Water and Biodiversity".

        The theme is chosen to coincide with the International Year of Water Cooperation 2013, and coincidentally, the period 2005-2015 is the International Decade for Action "Water For Life".

        According to the United Nations, the IDB 2013's theme of water provides Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the public at large the opportunity to raise awareness about this vital issue, and to increase positive action.

INDONESIA SEES URGENCY TO SIGN NAGOYA PROTOCOL by Fardah

     Jakarta, Feb 8, 2013 (ANTARA) - As a mega biodiversity nation, Indonesia sees the urgency to sign the Nagoya Protocol protect its rich genetic resources, particularly from thefts and piracy.

         "By ratifying the Protocol, Indonesia will have a firm legal basis to protect and preserve its genetic resources and traditional knowledge related to genetic resources," Indonesian Vice President Boediono said in Jakarta in November 2012.

RI ESTABLISHES PARKS TO MARK BIODIVERSITY DAY by Fardah

      Jakarta, May 24, 2011 (ANTARA) - Environmental Affairs Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta has inaugurated several biodiversity parks to mark International Biological Diversity Day (IDB) 2011.
      The establishment of biodiversity parks was aimed at preserving biodiversity in regions which have biodiversity with unique characteristics, Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta said when commemorating the IDB at Cibodas Botanical Garden, Pangrango, Bogor, West Java, Monday (May 22).

INDONESIA TO EMBRACE INT'L BIODIVERSITY DAY, YEAR By Fardah

Jakarta, May 5, 2010 (ANTARA) - Indonesia has been acknowledged by scientists as one of the world`s mega centers of biodiversity for her abundant flora and fauna species and a wide range of natural habitats.

Having a population of around 235 million, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, located between two oceans, the Pacific and the Indian, and bridging two continents, Asia and Australia.

The country consists of more than 17,000 islands, including five main islands - Java, Kalimantan (Borneo), Papua, Sumatera and Sulawesi, which host the world`s third largest forest area after Brazil and Zaire.

Indonesia’s Natural Wealth: The Right of a Nation and Her People by Hani Mumtazah

Jakarta, May 22, 2003 (Islam Online - IOL) - Indonesia is blessed with the greatest and most diverse biological resources in the world, after Brazil. This natural wealth can be sustainably utilized for the welfare of the population. Unfortunately enough, however, the country has not been able to successfully use the enormous natural wealth to improve the welfare of her people.

AMERIKA MALU KARENA BELUM MERATIFIKASI KONVENSI KEANEKARAGAMAN HAYATI

     Jakarta, 8/11/1995 (ANTARA) - Pemerintah Amerika Serikat merasa malu karena Senat AS menolak untuk meratifikasi Konvensi Keanekaragaman Hayati, kata Timothy Wirth, Direktur Jenderal untuk Masalah-masalah Global, Deplu AS.
        "Pemerintahan Presiden Clinton sangat mendukung Perjanjian Keanekaragaman Hayati tersebut dan telah menandatanganinya tahun lalu. Kami akan terus membujuk Senat untuk meratifikasi konvensi itu," ujar Wirth dari Washington DC dalam acara Worldnet Dialogue (wawancara jarak jauh) dengan Koko Sunyoto dari RCTI, Maria Hartiningsi dari Kompas dan Fardah Assegaf dari LKBN ANTARA di Jakarta, Rabu.