What is HAkA?
What is the Aceh Forest, Nature, and Environment Foundation?
The Forest, Nature, and Environment Aceh (HAkA) Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on advocating for the conservation of the Leuser Ecosystem Area (KEL).
What is the Leuser Ecosystem Area?
The Leuser Ecosystem Area (KEL) is an ecosystem located in the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. This area is largely covered by one of the world's oldest and last remaining tropical rainforests, which continues to serve as a habitat where the Sumatran tiger, Sumatran elephant, Sumatran rhinoceros, and Sumatran orangutan coexist.
What landscapes are included in the Leuser Ecosystem Area?
Spanning an area more than 35 times the size of Singapore, the magnificent and ancient Leuser Ecosystem (KEL) encompasses over 2.6 million hectares of lowland rainforests, peat swamps, montane and coastal forests, alpine meadows, and cultivated lands. Globally recognized as one of the richest expanses of tropical rainforest in Southeast Asia, the Leuser Ecosystem is also one of Asia's largest carbon sinks.
What are the functions of the Leuser Ecosystem Area?
The Leuser Ecosystem Area (KEL) serves primarily as a hub of biodiversity and plays a crucial role in maintaining environmental balance—ranging from sequestering carbon and providing clean water and fresh air for millions of people to preventing natural disasters such as floods and landslides.
Why is preserving the Leuser Ecosystem Area important?
Preserving the Leuser Ecosystem Area (KEL) is crucial, as it serves as a buffer zone for Gunung Leuser National Park—an area globally recognized by MAB-UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve and part of the UNESCO World Heritage site designated as the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra. However, the area currently faces serious threats from deforestation, poaching, and unsustainable infrastructure development. To protect it, various measures are being implemented, including deforestation monitoring, environmental policy advocacy, and community empowerment to foster more environmentally conscious lifestyles.
How can I contribute?
You can contribute in various ways, such as by donating, volunteering, or pursuing an internship opportunity. Equally important, you can help by spreading the word and raising public awareness about nature conservation through social media, campaigns, and community activities. Every step—no matter how small—makes a significant impact on nature conservation. Visit the "Get Involved" page to learn more!
