The Leuser Ecosystem (LEE) is an ecosystem located in the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. This area is mostly covered by the world's oldest and last tropical rainforest which is still home to the Sumatran Tiger, Sumatran Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros, and Sumatran Orangutan to live side by side.

The Leuser Ecosystem (LEE) is more than 35 times the size of Singapore, this magnificent and ancient ecosystem encompasses more than 2.6 million hectares of lowland rainforest, peat swamps, montane and coastal forests, alpine grasslands and cultivated areas. Globally recognised as one of the richest expanses of tropical rainforest found in Southeast Asia, the Leuser Ecosystem is also one of Asia’s largest carbon sinks.

The Leuser Ecosystem Area (KEL) has a primary function as a center of biodiversity and plays an important role in maintaining environmental balance, from absorbing carbon, providing clean water and fresh air for millions of people, to preventing natural disasters such as floods and landslides.

Protecting the Leuser Ecosystem Area (LEA) is very important because this area functions as a buffer zone for the Gunung Leuser National Park which is globally recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by MAB-UNESCO and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Park in the category of Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra. However, this area is now facing serious threats due to deforestation, poaching, and unsustainable infrastructure development. To protect it, various efforts are being made, including monitoring deforestation, environmental policy advocacy, and empowering communities to live more environmentally consciously.

You can contribute in many ways, such as donating, volunteering, or taking the opportunity to do an internship. Last but not least, you can also help by spreading information and raising public awareness about nature conservation through social media, campaigns, and community activities. Every step, no matter how small, has a big impact on nature conservation. Visit the "Get Involved" page to learn more!