The wind was calm and the grass swayed, waving as if to greet the hot sun shining on the sturdy body of a man wearing the same color clothes as the owner of the hot light that day. He is Guni (40), a member of the Buntoi Forest and Forestry Patrol Team (TPK) who is ready to protect the village forest from forest and land fires.
Karhutla Patrol (TPK) is a team consisting of specially trained personnel to carry out patrols, monitoring and initial handling of forest and land fires. On Tuesday (23/01), Guni deliberately went on patrol to the Buntoi Village Forest to inspect the condition and situation of the forest even though it was under control and there were no hotspots. Guni really enjoyed the patrol as a refresher just to see the green of the forest.
When walking through the forest with every step, as far as the eye could see there were trees swaying as if something was playing in the trees. Guni slowly tried to move away from the distance so that Guni could clearly see the real figure of the village forest guard who was rarely seen. The figure with his back to him appears to be relaxing with his arms hanging from a tree branch enjoying the gentle breeze that passes through him and taking shelter under the hot sun. As if he had received a rare gift, Guni took a photo of the figure, but the figure was sensitive to Guni’s presence so he immediately swung away as fast as lightning into the forest. This figure who seems to be guarding the forest but is rarely seen is the Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus).
“That afternoon, from a distance I saw with my own eyes a dark red-brown color, and immediately knew that it was the figure of the village forest guard, none other than an orangutan,” said Guni happily because he could meet an Orangutan.
As an endemic primate that likes to live in trees, Orangutan can spend up to five times a day eating. Of course, this activity is carried out on a tree. The Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is larger and has shorter dark brown or reddish hair. Among the two other species of Orangutan, only the male Kalimantan Orangutan does not have a beard. Adult Bornean Orangutan have predominantly dark brown fur, wide cheek pads that make their faces look round, and can weigh up to 150 kilograms.
Quoted from the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), currently the population of Borneo Orangutan is estimated at 57,350 individuals. In 1973, the estimated population of Bornean Orangutan was 288,500 individuals. That means a decline of 80% in less than 50 years. The sharp decline in the Bornean Orangutan population is mainly due to loss of forest habitat. The ever-increasing global demand also has an impact on the agricultural, mining and timber industries.
According to Guni, Orangutan are a symbol of protecting village forests well. This rare animal is very difficult to find and it is only a coincidence that if we meet, an orangutan will know where we are.
“We should be very grateful for the discovery of this Orangutan because it still exists in the village forest, meaning that we as humans must protect and protect the existence of Orangutan which we rarely find and that is a must to maintain the biodiversity of the village forest,” explained Guni.
All Orangutan species are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Without shelter, Orangutan lives will be more vulnerable.
Guni said that while on patrol, meeting the village forest guard was a happy experience. Protecting Orangutan, protecting village forests and preserving biodiversity.
Author: Alma Tiara
Editor: Tjong Paniti
Source:
Forest and Forestry Patrol Team Activity Report
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