Harapan is the Indonesian word for hope. The fact that our flagship tropical forest project in Indonesia bears that name couldn’t be more appropriate this week as this amazing place is once again under threat. Despite opposition, there is a proposal to build a 50km road through the middle of Harapan Rainforest, effectively cutting this area in two and putting the already-threatened wildlife and the indigenous people who call this area home under even greater pressure.
Rest assured we’ve formally objected to this proposal and we’re working with our partners on the ground to do everything we can. We’re optimistic that the company concerned and Indonesian authorities will understand the consequences of allowing such a proposal to proceed. It’s not just the immediate threat to the critically endangered tigers, elephants, tapirs, clouded leopards, and pangolins from 850 coal trucks a day passing through the forest that’s the problem. We’re also concerned that this gash will inevitably allow easy access for illegal loggers and encroachers, as well as invasive plant species to put further pressure on this unique forest and its inhabitants.
Importantly, not only would driving a road through Harapan be like driving a dagger through its heart, but it would also put at risk the other projects that have followed in the footsteps of Harapan’s success. Harapan really does present “hope” for the restoration of millions of hectares of forest in Indonesia, and it’s vital that it continues to lead the way rather than being sacrificed for short-term gain.
We’re as shocked by the application as no doubt you are and we can’t understand why the road development proposal has even been considered, as already existing routes exist outside the boundaries of the forest. This really is make or break for forest conservation in Indonesia – we believe that any decision to permit the road would reflect badly on Indonesian commitments to restore degraded forest, where as rejection would confirm a commitment to the environment and a sustainable future. Now really is the time to hope that the right choice is made.
Photo by Clare Kendall (rspb-images.com)