Projects

Objective of this project is to rehabilitate proboscis monkey habitat, as part of maintaining Danau Mesangat and Kenohan Suwi Wetland Esential Ecosystem which is important for water precipitation, flood control, habitat for wildlife as well as center of inland fisheries. Most information available about proboscis monkey in coastal area, Suwi wetland is about 104 kilometers from est coast of Kalimantan. These multi-year projects funded by Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF) Japan. 

Yasiwa carried out project ‘Conservation of Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus) Habitat in Suwi Wetland’ during periode of April 2017 –March 2018, April 2019-March 2020 and April 2020-March 2021. Most of the field work done in cooperation with local fisherman, students of Mathematics and Science Faculty of Mulawarman University.  Local fishermans are knowledgeable group and who should get the most benefit since they are the ones who lost their livelihood.  Yasiwa concern to give opportunity to the students to gain field experience and motivate graduates working on field conservation.

1.Proboscis Monkey survey

Initial study of proboscis monkey done by Tri Atmoko, S.Hut., M.Si, expert from BALITEK (Research and Conservation Technology Development of Natural Resources Agency under Ministry of Forestry), Periodic survey during the project develop in informations :

• • Twelve groups of proboscis monkey found, 6 groups in upstream, 5 groups in downstream and 1 group in Loa Bekara.
  • Identified 12 food plants among 60 plant species, with the highest score is Litsea oppositifolia and the second is Barringtonia acutangula.
  • Recommend to plant Malllotus sumatranus, Baringtonia acutangula and Syzygium lenietum beside Dillenia excelsa for habitat rehabilitation.    
  • The peak hour of activities is 4 to 6 pm.
  • Group structure dominated by infant (41%) 
  • The most time spend for feeding (35%) based on observation from 6 am – 7 pm

2. Birds and mammals monitoring

Regular monitoring and student field work got 13 mammals, 95 birds, 10 reptilians, and 38 fishes records during project period. 

3. Community Training

Transfer knowledge from researcher to students for proboscis monkey observation and basic skill for measure and release Siamese crocodile for fisherman. Training has coverage local stakeholder to addressed threats against habitat and existence of proboscis monkey in Suwi wetland. 

4. Replanting and maintenance

 Planted cutting more than 5000, mostly Dillenia excelsa, food plant of Proboscis  Monkey and has wide leaf to create shade for controling the invasive Mimosa pigra.  Planted fruit trees 16 in drier river bank. 

5. Conservation Education 

Two training for teachers surrounding the wetland to develop understanding about wetland.

First training (2017): consist of field observation, group discussion, presentation, environmental games and provide biodiversity poster, to enable the teacher to introduce biodiversity to the student. Direct observation to the wetlands is the first experience for most of the participant even though they live next to the wetland. 

Second Training (2019) consist of guidance from Education Office of East Kutai District, how to develop extracurricular lesson plans about the wet lands

Information center initiated to support learning process for student and teacher.  Information center development and training has been held in cooperation with Ulin Foundation.

PT Pusaka Agro Lestari (PT PAL) is a palm oil plantation in Mimika region, Papua Province, which is started land clearing in mid-2012. Yasiwa started to cooperate with PT PAL at the end of 2012 to initiate survey and develop conservation plan. 

Development of conservation programs and department during period of August 2013-December 2015.    

The activities were mostly intended for on the job training for company’s staffs include:

• Equipment procurement
• Help to recruit Senior Assistant
• Build cooperation with Cendrawasih University (UNCEN) Jayapura, for implementing biodiversity survey. Surveys have been carried out: fresh water fish, butterfly and battle surveys, and flora inventory permanent plot setting for long term monitoring.
• Ground check and determine the boundary of river buffer and conservation area
• Systematic and periodic inventory and monitoring of biodiversity using camera trap, mist net, and direct observation
• Develop long term  database as a basis for prioritize conservation action
• Setting up plots for long term monitoring of plants in cooperation with UNIPA
• Awareness and conservation education for company’s employee
• Print media development for wildlife protection

PT Henrison Inti Persada (PT HIP) is a palm oil plantations in Sorong, West Papua, which is started planting in 2006. Yasiwa started to cooperate with PT HIP at the end of 2012 for initial survey and development of conservation plan. Development of conservation program and department during period of August 2013 – December 2015 

The activities were mostly intended for on the job training for company’s staffs include:

• Equipment procurement
• Assisted recruitment of two conservation assistants of the 3 proposed
• Build cooperation with Manokwari State University of Papua (UNIPA) for implementing biodiversity surveys. Surveys have been carried out: flora, fresh water fish, butterfly and mammal 
• Help compile Standard Operational Procedures for  Hight Conservation Value (HCV) Area, surveillance Ground check and database development for HCV management 
• Erect sign bard, nursery development, planting of river buffer and unsuitable land for palm oil
• Marking of river buffer boundary in the area will be cleared
• Systematic and periodic inventory and monitoring of biodiversity using camera trap, mist net, and direct observation
• Setting up plots for long term monitoring of plants
• Develop long term  database as a basis for prioritize conservation action
• Awareness and conservation education for employee and community for HCV management
• Recommend approach and practical options to overcome encroachments of HCV by employee and communities
• Temperature and humidity monitoring in open and forested area    
• Pest monitoring
• Build communication & cooperation with internal department 

PT Bukit Borneo Sejahtera (PT BBS) is a palm oil plantation company in Malinau “Conservation” District, North Kalimantan. PT BBS has vision of develop the plantation in balance among economic, social and environment aspect. Yasiwa has been cooperated since the early step of planning and development of the plantation to assure biodiversity and ecological services of natural habitat were maintained and planted in optimal land, by set aside land with protection function and river buffer.

• Boundary and condition survey of ten hills of conservation area and river buffers
• Biodiversity inventory
• Enriched and replanting of river buffer with local fruit, timber or other useful trees such as Eusideroxylon zwageri, Shorea pinangan, Artocarpus altilis, Aquilaria sp, Dryobalanop sp, Bambusa sp. and Moringa oleifer. 
• Conservation awareness for the plantation employee, school children and community.

Develop stingless bee (Trigona spp.) keeper to increase the value of forest and land around the oil palm

Muara Ancalong Merupakan kecamatan tertua di Kabupaten Kutai Timur, dengan ibu kota kecamatan di Kelinjau. Kelinjau berjarak sekitar 133 km dari Samarinda, ibu kota Provinsi Kalimantan Timur.

Lahan basah Suwi terletak di bagian barat desa Kelinjau, terdiri dari Danau Suwi yang dikenal secara lokal sebagai Kenohan Suwi, Danau Serapung, Danau Ketiau dan beberapa danau kecil dengan dataran banjir di sekitarnya. Lahan basah tersebut merupakan habitat bagi mamalia endemik dilindungi, yaitu bekantan (Nasalis larvatus) dengan status terancam punah, juga terdapat buaya siam dan banyak jenis burung air.

Berdasarkan peta tata ruang Kabupaten Kutai Timur (2013-2032), lahan basah Suwi, Mesangat dan sekitarnya terletak di atas Cekungan Air Tanah Sendawar. Lahan Basah Suwi bagain Timur juga berbatasan dengan Cagar Alam Muara Kaman Sedulang. Semestinya lahan basah dikelola agar tetap memberikan jasa ekosistemnya. Namun demikian lahan basah mengalami degradasi karena pemanfaatan yang tidak sesuai untuk perkebunan sawit.

Yasiwa mempromosikan pengelolaan lahan basah berkelanjutan. Sinergi peran parapihak antara pemerintah, dunia usaha, perguruan tinggi, kelompok masyarakat dan LSM untuk mencapai pengelolaan yang lebih baik memerlukan upayan yang tidak mudah dan perlu terus didorong.

Pada tahun 2015 Ditjen Bina Pengelolaan Ekosisitem Esensial-KLHK dibentuk untuk mengelola ekosistem penting di luar kawasan dilindungi, seperti area bernilai Konservasi tinggi yang berada dalam konsesi perusahaan. Melalui kerja sama Yasiwa dengan Kabupaten Kutai Timur Lahan Basah Mesangat dan Suwi diusulkan untuk dikelola dengan skema Ekosistem Esensial oleh para pihak. Forum Pengelolaan Kawasan Ekosistem Esensial Lahan Basah Mesangat Suwi dibentuk berdasarkan SK Bupati pada bulan Oktober 2016.

Untuk proyek inisiasi di Suwi ini Yasiwa mendapat dukungan pendanaan dari ZGAP, EAZA dan Dortmund Zoo untuk kegiatan meliputi:

• Survei Habitat dan inventarisasi keragaman hayati
• Mendorong parapihak untuk pengelolaan lahan basah secara layak guna menjada jasa ekologinya
• Memperkenalkan nilai penting lahan basah kepada anak-anak sekolah dan parapihak
• Pencatatan tinggi muka air bekerja sama dengan nelayan
• Menguatakan nelayan untuk mengurangi perburuan dan penyetruman ikan