OIKN and ARSARI Foundation: Cooperation in Orangutan Conservation
NUSANTARA, 13 February 2023 – The Nusantara Capital City Authority (OIKN) collaborated with the Arsari Foundation in orangutan conservation by developing Orangutan Sanctuary Center (PSO) on Kawasan Island, North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan. The purpose of PSO is to provide sanctuary for adult male orangutans with facilities and management system that complies with animal welfare principles, especially for orangutans who cannot be released into their natural habitat for reasons.
Head of OIKN, Bambang Susantono, warmly welcomed the collaboration with Arsari Foundation in developing the PSO on Kawasan Island, as this reflects well on Nusantara as a governmental seat that pays attention to the environment. “Orangutans are one of Indonesia’s endemic species that need to be protected and conserved. Even though the IKN is not the natural habitat of orangutans, we are very committed to supporting their conservation,” said Bambang.
Executive Director of Arsari Foundation, Dr. Catrini Pratihari Kubontubuh, remarked that the collaboration in developing the PSO on Kawasan Island would be very beneficial for orangutans as a national treasure. “Of course, this will also cement the city’s commitment as a forest city,” she explained.
PSO, which is approximately 10 km from the Point Zero of Nusantara, is expected to help reducing the costs and physical risks from the presence of cheek-padded adult male orangutans in various Orangutan Rehabilitation or Reintroduction Centers. Furthermore, orangutans living on the island as their new habitat will have their livelihood guaranteed, and the surrounding islands are also expected to have better ecosystems and can become potential breeding grounds for marine animals, which can later benefit the surrounding community.
Bambang further remarked that the joint commitment between OIKN and Arsari Foundation is not limited in PSO, but also in establishing IKN Forest City as a model that concentrates on carbon neutral city, biodiversity, and SDGs. “OIKN opens itself to collaborations with environmental activists and advocates, both on an international and national, to work together and protect the environment in IKN and its surroundings,” said Bambang.
IKN Nusantara was built with the concept of Forest City. This is Indonesia’s approach to mitigate climate change. 65% of IKN area will be tropical forest through reforestation, 10% will be local parks and food production areas, and 25% will be urban areas. “The goal is for Nusantara to become a carbon-neutral city in 2045,” he concluded.
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The National Capital City named Nusantara, hereinafter referred to as Nusantara Capital City (IKN) is a regional government unit under special status at provincial level, where the seat of the government will be located as stipulated and regulated by Law No. 3 of 2022. Government of the Nusantara Capital Special Region is a regional government under special status tasked with carrying out government affairs in the Nusantara Capital City. The Government of the Nusantara Capital Special Region, hereinafter referred to as the Nusantara Capital City Authority, is in charge of preparation, development and overall transfer of the Capital City, as well as the administration of the Nusantara government. Nusantara Capital City Authority is a ministry-level institution is responsible for the Administration of the Nusantara Capital Special Region. The Nusantara Capital City encompasses an area almost 4 times the size of Jakarta, which is approximately 256,142 ha (two hundred fifty six thousand one hundred and forty two hectares) and a sea area covering approximately 68,189 ha (sixty eight thousand one hundred and eighty nine hectares).
Nusantara Capital City Authority Communication Team
Contact Person: OIKN Secretariat
Phone number: 62- 0811 81158888