SYNERGY IN CONSERVATION
Jakarta, 2 February 2023. The Directorate General of Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems (KSDAE), the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) recently strengthened cooperation on biodiversity conservation efforts with ARSARI Djojohadikusumo Foundation (YAD) through signing a Memorandum of Understanding and a Cooperation Agreement.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. Ir. Bambang Hendroyono, M.M. as the Acting Director General of KSDAE, and Hashim Djojohadikusumo as the Chairman of YAD at Manggala Wanabakti Building in Jakarta. The two parties agreed to cooperate on Strengthening the Functions of Nature Reserve Areas and Conservation of Biodiversity through Supporting Programs on Natural Resources Conservation and Sustainable Ecosystem.
To follow up the Memorandum of Understanding, a Cooperation Agreement was also signed by each head of Technical Implementation Unit of the Directorate General of KSDAE, who are the Head of the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center (KSDA), Head of West Sumatra BKSDA, and Head of East Kalimantan BKSDA with Dr. Catrini Pratihari Kubontubuh, as the Executive Director of YAD.
The scope of this 5-years long Cooperation Agreement includes the construction and management of the Wildlife Rescue Center in Riau, the management of the Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center in Dharmasraya, West Sumatra, and the management of the Orangutan Sanctuary Center in East Kalimantan. The main collaborations will include support for institutional capacity building, preserving flora and fauna, rescuing wildlife including the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) and other endemic wildlife, protection of wildlife habitats and community empowerment.
“Conserving the habitat and population of key species such as Sumatran tigers, Sumatran and Kalimantan orangutans, elephants, Sumatran rhinos and other endangered species, are priority programs of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry that are continuously implemented with the involvement of various relevant stakeholders who share the same views and principles in conservation,” explained Bambang Hendroyono, who also serves as Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The three principles of cooperation are mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit. “Collaboration is the key to success in conserving our biodiversity. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation Agreement with ARSARI Djojohadikusumo Foundation is a concrete manifestation of collaboration in biodiversity conservation in the 3 Technical Implementation Units of the Directorate General of KSDAE,” he added.
Bambang Hendroyono further elaborated that wildlife habitat is not limited to conservation forests, but also in protected forests, production forests, and even in other areas. Therefore, a site-based and landscape-based species conservation approach (resort-based management) is incredibly important. He hoped that the collaboration with YAD will support the optimization of site-based and landscape-based conservation in question.
ARSARI Djojohadikusumo Foundation has consistently supported the government’s efforts, in this case the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, in conserving endangered wildlife as assets of the state, national treasures whose extinction should be prevented at all costs. This endeavor began in 2017 in Dharmasraya, West Sumatra, and continued to East Kalimantan and Riau. “YAD is grateful and honored to have the opportunity to work together with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry for environmental sustainability, especially concerning endangered wildlife,” Hashim Djojohadikusumo remarked. “This positive synergy needs to be continuously improved to further strengthen and expand our mutual cooperation in conservation,” he added. Hashim recognized the activities carried out by YAD together with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, especially KSDAE, as a delightful collaboration and an example of synergy in conservation between community and the government. He further declared that YAD funds are the result of hard work of the nation’s own blood, the Djojohadikusumo family, and not a penny came from foreign funds. Everyone in YAD vowed to honor the cooperation with great commitment.
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Further Information:
- Nunu Anugrah, Head of Public Relations Bureau, KLHK: 021-5730191
- Tito Suryawan, Coordinator of Media and Communication, YAD: 0857-9485-0305