Minister of Environment and Forestry: 95% of SM Rawa Singkil Peat Forest in Aceh Remains Intact

PRESS RELEASE
Number: SP.174/HUMAS/PPIP/HMS.3/8/2024

Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya confirmed that more than 95% of the Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve (SMRS) covering more than 82 thousand hectares in Aceh – is still intact. This wildlife reserve is an important component of the vast Leuser Ecosystem Area, which covers more than 2.6 million hectares.

This ecosystem has met its FOLU Net Sink climate targets well ahead of the 2030 deadline.

“We are currently dealing with less than 5% of the area of ​​the Rawa Singkil Wildlife Sanctuary, which is non-forest vegetation affected by encroachment and other issues, through collaborative law enforcement and community involvement,” said Minister Nurbaya in a discussion at the Manggala Wanabakti Building, Jakarta (August 6).

“Currently, the Integrated Gakkum Team has been in the field for several weeks and I have been reporting regularly from the field,” he said.

From the field report, the Minister noted that natural revegetation is progressing after encroachment in several parts of non-forest vegetation, which will be complemented by enrichment of local vegetation species. “Meanwhile, for non-forest vegetation areas planted with oil palm, we will restore them gradually,” he added.

Minister Nurbaya took the opportunity to highlight the findings of the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) analysis in the Rawa Singkil Wildlife Sanctuary conducted by the KLHK team.

“High-resolution satellite analysis and field inspections confirm that more than 95% of the Rawa Singkil Wildlife Sanctuary is still intact,” Minister Nurbaya emphasized.

Minister Nurbaya explained that with more than 95% of peat forest vegetation still intact in the Wildlife Sanctuary, the FOLU Net Sink objectives will certainly be achieved well.

“The FOLU Net Sink status in the Leuser Ecosystem Area remains stable and very positive, supported by high-resolution satellite imagery and evidence on the ground.

“We are confident that Indonesia will remain on track to achieve the 2030 FOLU Net Sink target. We will continue to be a superpower in combating the climate crisis thanks to our vast natural forests and blue carbon resources,” he stressed.

“The achievement of FOLU Net Sink before the 2030 target in the Leuser Ecosystem Area increases our confidence to continue protecting the Sumatran rhinos, orangutans, tigers, and elephants that are their homes in the Leuser Ecosystem,” added the Minister.

Minister Nurbaya closed on a strong note of optimism, stating “Indonesia will never waver from its superpower status in the face of the climate crisis.

Jakarta, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, August 8, 2024

Responsible for news:
Head of Public Relations Bureau, KLHK
U. Mamat Rahmat

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