Orangutan habitat threatened. Make Your Voice Heard

We recently posted an article on our website regarding plans by Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) to log an important buffer zone around Bukit Tigapulah National Park in Sumatra. This lowland rainforest has been used as a reintroduction site and currently is home to over 100 released Sumatran orangutans, including Perth Zoo's Temara. It also contains a population of 65 endangered Sumatran elephants and other endangered wildlife.

Recent reports indicate that APP in joint venture with Sinar Mas has now been granted a licence to clear the forest to supply a nearby pulp mill.

There are alternatives! We understand that the Australian Orangutan Project and its partners have lodged a submission with the Australian Government proposing a Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) Demonstration Project for this area of forest. The Indonesian Federal Government has indicated its in principle support for the concept.

Will you please make your voice heard on this issue? Ask the Australian Government to work with the Indonesian Government to prevent APP and Sinar Mas clearing this important forest and to develop better solutions for the people, the wildlife and the planet.

Send an email today:

Express your concern by copying and sending the following email to Senator.Milne@aph.gov.au, Green Senator for Climate Change and Stephen.Smith.MP@aph.gov.au, Minister for Foreign Affairs.  

Dear Senator Milne / The Hon. Stephen Smith, MP 

It is disturbing to hear that an Indonesian paper company plans to log an area of 30,000 hectare of unprotected jungle in Sumatra, containing vital habitat for the critically endangered Sumatran orangutans, among many other animals. We understand from reports that a licence has now been granted.

We must protect all remaining areas of forest in Indonesia as urgently as possible.

We ask that the Government make representation to the Indonesian ambassador to revoke any logging licence that might have been granted over the Bukit Tigapulah National Park buffer zone and consider other more sustainable solutions for people and planet.

Yours sincerely

(add your name and postal / email address here)

Sign the AOP petition:

Click here to sign the petition to the Directors of APP and Sinar Mas Group requesting withdrawal of the proposal.

Thank you for your support on this important issue.

Sue Floyed

President
BOS Australia

15 July 2010
Why should we protect the orangutan? It is a frequently asked question when lay-people, including businesspeople, discuss the need to protect orangutans, Asia's only great ape, which is greatly endangered. Read Article »

23 June 2010
If an orangutan blows a raspberry, smacks you on the side of your body or gives you a nip on the arm, don't worry. Read Article »

21 June 2010
Some New Zealand food companies are being slippery about whether they use palm oil, according to a Green Party survey.

6 June 2010
Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Australia and its Indonesian counterpart have secured a 112,000 hectare site in Kalimantan, Indonesia for the release of rehabilitated orangutans.

27 May 2010
Indonesia will introduce a two-year moratorium on deforestation to help tackle climate change, the country's president has said. Read Article »

28 May 2010
United States congressman Earl Blumenauer has called on the Australian Government to legislate to ban illegal timber imports into Australia.

27 May 2010
Cash-strapped Indonesia remains committed to protection of its rainforests as part of the global initiative to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) Plus scheme, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says.

27 May 2010
Indonesia will honor palm oil companies' existing contract despite its pledge to suspend new concessions to clear the nation's natural forests and peat lands for two years, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says.