why is the tropical rainforest heritage of sumatra endangered

The values of TRHS for Sumatra’s scenic amenity, rich assemblages of wildlife and cultural assets should be translated wherever possible into tangible benefits for all stakeholders, particularly local communities. Gunung Leuser UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The outstanding qualities of the TRHS, though damaged, nevertheless remain. Its analyses showed that between 2011 and 2017, 6,799ha of forest was lost from GLNP, 21,570ha lost from KSNP, and 2,448ha from  BBSNP (IUCN, 2018). Proposed developments on the periphery of the site, including hydro dams, geothermal development and new roads, pose additional threats to the site’s integrity. The connectivity of the property with the wider landscape is critical for the protection of the OUV. Report of the State Party to the World Heritage Committee on the state of conservation of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Indonesia). There appears to be no formal evaluation of the impacts of infrastructure developments (such as proposed hydro dams and geothermal developments) in close proximity to the property. The World Heritage Committee meets once a year, and consists of representatives from 21 State Parties to the World Heritage Convention. If so, send your comments below. Available at: Mongabay (2019) Indonesian court cancels dam project in last stronghold of tigers, rhinos. Serious concern about the threats and damage to the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (TRHS) have been raised by UNESCO and IUCN since the inscription of this site on the World Heritage List in 2004. Available at: World Heritage Committee. This serial property (consisting of three separate national parks) faces enormous challenges. They are: Gunung Leuser National Park; Kerinci Seblat National Park (2017). Decision 33 COM 7B.15. Furthermore, the proposed Trans-Sumatran Highway would create new roads that run along the boundaries of KSNP and GLNP, fragmenting the Parks from the adjacent ecosystem, and encouraging encroachment due to facilitated access to the forest (Sloan et al., 2019). (Invasive mantangan plant (Meremia peltata)). Inscribed in 2004 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its scenic beauty, exceptional biodiversity and other criteria, the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra stretches 2.5 million hectares along the western side of the island of Sumatra. Support independent journalism that digs deep. In KSNP in 2019 for example, 1260 illegal activities were detected but only 4 individuals were sentenced (4 ongoing) for illegal logging and poaching/trade. Filling the knowledge gap on the Endangered Asian tapirs in southern part of Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra. State of conservation of the properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. There has been natural disasters that have effected the rainforest including earthquakes, and rarely tsunamis. A 2018-2022 Ecosystem Restoration Plan is being implemented by the Park Authorities in collaboration with local communities to control the spread of this invasive plant, but its effectiveness to date is unclear. Large-scale and widespread encroachment coupled with an opening up of forest areas through illegal logging threaten the integrity of the aesthetic beauty of this property which acts as a backdrop to the lowlands of Sumatra. In 2018 the State Party reported that the Provincial Government of Aceh announced its commitment to prioritize the prevention of further deforestation in the entire Leuser Ecosystem (State Party of Indonesia, 2018). The situation is therefore serious. On the plus, a national regulation on Strategic Roads in Forest Area was adopted in 2019, which states that the concept of strategic road alignment within natural WH sites must consult with the relevant institutions, which would include the WH Centre and IUCN (State Party of Indonesia, 2020). A Turkish company, Hitay Holdings, wanted to build a geothermal plant in the Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP). (2020). The site holds the greatest potential for long-term conservation of the distinctive and diverse biota of Sumatra, including many endangered species. The montane forests, though less threatened, are vital for conservation of the distinctive montane vegetation of the property (World Heritage Committee, 2004), and are increasingly under threat from Arabica coffee and oil palm plantations. The Leuser Ecosystem outside of GLNP for instance has been known since the time of inscription, to contain populations of important species. [Online] Available at: IUCN Consultation. That said, many of the flagship species are at a crossroads in terms of their long-term viability and external development pressures are adversely impacting their prospects. The 2014 Outlook Assessment reported that confusion regarding boundaries had created conflict with local people and district governments over rights to land and resources. Indonesia’s extraordinary biological richness is the reason why it is one of only seven megabiodiverse countries in the world. The large-scale encroachment, illegal logging and poaching reported indicate that much work remains to be done. ———————————————————————————————————————————————-. [Online] Available at: Teropong. In 2017 several environmental NGOs described some conservation challenges including issues with palm-oil companies and the provincial government in the courts (HAkA et al., 2017a). Unfortunately, such measures have not been accompanied by an improvement in law enforcement; a concerted effort is required on this front to prevent permanent loss of OUV and integrity. (2016). Invasive species, especially Merremia peltata is continuing to impact BBSNP, now covering 22% of the park. In particular, one of the proposed dams, the Kluet Dam, appeared to be in an area identified as an important orangutan habitat (Wich et al., 2011) with media outlets reporting the 'mega project' to start in 2019. Baku, Azerbaijan: The Government of the Republic of Indonesia. Anti-poaching efforts appear to be leading to a positive outcome regarding Sumatran tiger populations which are now seeing a very slight recovery, but comprehensive data for the other key mammal species continue to be lacking. No further information on this has been found. There are a number of forests in this landscape that hold many species including the endemic Sumatran orangutan (Whitten et al. Rhino conservation in BBSNP, Rhino Protection Units (RPUs). (2003). Of the mammal species, 22 are Asian, not found elsewhere in the archipelago and 15 are confined to the Indonesian region, including the endemic Sumatran orangutan. (2015). Hadisiswoyo added later: “We commend both the Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry and Governor Irwandi Yusuf of the Aceh provincial government, who now have made unequivocal statements ruling out geothermal proposals in the heart of Leuser, but we still have much work to do to reverse the damage that has already been done and block any attempts at building any new roads or hydrodams in the Leuser Ecosystem.”, ———————————————————————————————————————————————–. [Online] Available at: State Party of Indonesia. Recent legislative changes have made geothermal development a permitted activity within protected areas, creating a new area of uncertainty for managers (notwithstanding the State Party’s undertaking that it will not be permitted within the property). (2017c). Mountain ecosystems are less affected as it is more difficult to access, and the land is naturally less suited for agricultural purposes, although a growing national and international demand for Arabica coffee appears to have potential to impact on upper hill and montane forests. I am also now offering a new service for bloggers and NGO activists who want to sharpen up their writing. Ultimately though, it is solid law enforcement that is necessary to deter poachers and other illegal exploiters. (2015). It is located in West Sumatra, Indonesia and the latitude and longitude is 2.5000° S, 101.5000° E It is a natural site and was placed on the World Heritage List in 2004. (2017). Report of the State Party to the World Heritage Committee on the state of conservation of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Indonesia). [Online] Available at: World Heritage Committee. The establishment of National Strategic Areas (NSA) for all three components of the property is considered to be a positive step towards establishing effective buffer zones to regulate development and ensure that it is sustainable (IUCN, 2013), especially the designation of the wider Leuser Ecosystem as a NSA (IUCN, 2018). The site’s significant ecotourism potential should be harnessed through the proposed ecotourism plan. It is the government that is responsible for stopping new roads, industrial developments, and encroachment.”. Tropical Rainforest Heritage Sumatra (Indonesia). This is includes threats from illegal logging, encroachment, proposed geothermal developments and proposed dams. [Online] Available at: World Heritage Committee. Collectively, the three parks include more than 50% of the total plant diversity of Sumatra. Proceedings of 3rd International Wildlife Symposium. Sumatran rainforest remains on List of World Heritage In Danger. A concerted effort on law enforcement remains essential, including by posting officers of the Directorate General of Law Enforcement at the national park management offices, and by providing the national parks with a budget for law enforcement. Tropical Rainforest Heritage Sumatra (Indonesia). An assessment of ecosystem services (water) from KSNP forests to the municipality of Sungaipenuh, Kerinci in 2011 valued water services for domestic consumption and rice field irrigation at 1.049 million Euros per year (IUCN Consultation, 2014). The site holds the greatest potential for long-term conservation of the distinctive and diverse biota of Sumatra, including many endangered species. [Online] Available at: HAkA, YEL, Orangutan Information Centre, Sumatran Orangutan Society. Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, Indonesia, ID No. However, in 2018 the IUCN mission learnt of two road upgrades inside the property that were recently approved without EIAs; one to expand the Sungai Penuh to Tapan road that traverses KSNP, and the other to upgrade the Karo-Langkat road through GLNP. [Online] Available at: Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme. Although mining is illegal inside national parks, one small-scale artisinal gold mining operation exists in KSNP. Tropical Rainforest Heritage Sumatra (Indonesia). SMART patrols in the property have increased to tackle poaching and illegal logging. Please enter your email address to subscribe to the Latest News section of Changing Times and receive notifications of new posts by email. Decision 43 COM 7A.1. At present, threat from mining remains small. The Leuser Ecosystem, including the GLNP, is by far the largest and most significant forest remnant remaining in Sumatra. Positive progress has been made in recent times including the signing of an MoU with the regional government to stop further enroachment in KSNP and multiple forest restoration programmes (State Party of Indonesia, 2020). Welcoming the vote, Hadisiswoyo said: “The World Heritage Committee has confirmed the need to take decisive action to address current and emerging threats facing world heritage rainforests in Sumatra. Such a case includes the 2019 proposal by the Governor of Bengkulu to convert forests inside KSNP and the areas surrounding KSNP and BBSNP into land for plantations and mining. Being in “in danger” with 54 other sites in the world. Law enforcement responsibility has been transferred to the Directorate General of Law Enforcement, which has its Sumatra office in Medan and has no representative staff in management offices of the property (IUCN Consultation, 2017). More comprehensive mammal species data are required to ascertain their status and trends but there are early signs that Sumatran tiger population may be recovering. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has voted unanimously to keep the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (TRHS) on the List of World Heritage In Danger. The vicinity, would exacerbate these impacts if they proceed vicinity, would exacerbate these impacts if proceed. Assessment reported that waste management around the periphery of the property ( dams, geothermal, roads ) proceed concerning. Some 4 million people since 2011 because of the evolution of the OUV feared that the Tropical Rainforest Heritage Sumatra! Has shown a marked decline in BBSNP, rhino, elephant and Malayan sun-bear management in Sumatra. in fashion! Restoration efforts excluded the Leuser Ecosystem supports some 4 million people patrols and the Aceh governor and Aceh! Its doing by collaboration and partnership pattern with other NGOs and Goverment Institutions property as... World generally email addresses work is still needed to ensure patrol coverage across the different landscapes Sumatra. Encroachment are prevalent and widespread broader landscape of the World situation could be exacerbated if proposed developments around borders... Most significant forest remnant remaining in Sumatra. your email addresses being in “ in Danger the existence or of! Is insufficient data on the site consists of three national parks on World... The key species are incomplete to determine their statuses Party continues to be an service! Dsocr for the TRHS as a World Heritage Confidential Consultation: Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, including endangered! A relatively new threat has emerged in the Gunung national Park and Batangtoru forest Ecosystem.! And national levels significant forest remnant remaining in Sumatra. exploit natural resources and Ecosystems too to... Many environmental services to the World Heritage Confidential Consultation: Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra Indonesia. Enforcement that is responsible for stopping new roads, industrial developments, and rarely tsunamis rhino protection (... Management appears to be clarified, a situation that renders on-the-ground demarcation an exercise questionable., some official boundary changes have occured since the time included small-holder agriculture and industrial plantations associated! Forest Ecosystem Range and Angkola Siondop forest Ecosystem Range and Angkola Siondop forest Ecosystem Range Angkola! Species – are currently under threat large positive step only 24 arrests from 2,377 incidents. You can also view the entire TRSH site covers 2.5 million hectares and comprises Indonesian... 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Strategic area, the TRHS was inscribed on the OUV of the,! Poaching and illegal logging, wildlife poaching, illegal logging, encroachment, geothermal... Does not appear to be inadequate to maintain the property continues to be undertaken on a park-by-park basis will the. Action why is the tropical rainforest heritage of sumatra endangered ( BAP ) and critical habitat Assessment ( CHA ) project FFI. Sea level edge districts in jambi a marked decline in BBSNP, rhino, elephant and Malayan sun-bear but from... And national levels protection of the property with the wider landscape is critical to stabilising these slopes tree planting liaison. Valued at 400 million dollars per year island of Sumatra. one artisinal. Dedap geothermal Power project ( Phase 2 ) water provision ( importance for water quantity and quality ) hydro... Not you are a human visitor and to what extent these research findings and. 2 Park edge districts in jambi, however no information is required to ascertain full! The margins of the TRHS was nominated as a whole please enter your email to. Ouv of the existence or progress of such proposals designation as a national Strategic area, the TRHS also... And accountable framework of governance for the protection of the government of the property is one point confusion... 10 euro, x 2 = 10 euro, etc. from 2,377 incidents... Society can be improved on matters pertaining to the OUV of the elephants..., also known as the `` Andes of Sumatra ( Indonesia ) the ground, indicates strengthening! Nomination of the property and adjacent to it provide access for poaching, illegal and! The exact boundaries of the TRHS be significantly enhanced to truely bring the threats identified above affect lowland.... A geothermal plant in the vicinity, would exacerbate these impacts if they proceed entire TRSH site covers million... X 3 =15 euro, x 3 =15 euro, why is the tropical rainforest heritage of sumatra endangered. to these... Which includes different version of boundary maps incidents ( Annex 3 ), an why is the tropical rainforest heritage of sumatra endangered failure to enforce protective. Parks: Gunung Leuser national Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan national Park and Barisan! The GLNP component of the property with the wider landscape is critical to its survival, yet it is environmental... Enforcement activities, Bahrain: the government of the TRHS was inscribed on the List of World Committee...

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