Urgent Tripa Fundraising Appeal to Revoke Oil Palm Permits in the Tripa Peat Forests Aceh Province – Sumatra - Indonesia

URGENT TRIPA FUNDRAISING APPEAL TO REVOKE OIL PALM PERMITS IN THE TRIPA PEAT FORESTS ACEH PROVINCE – SUMATRA - INDONESIA

Dear Friends and supporters of Tripa, We are writing to thank you for your help this far, and to secure your support to win, and restore Tripa.

To do that, we are requesting your help by donating to the Tripa Peat Forest Legal Action Campaign Fund.

Tripa is the northernmost Peat Swamp within the protected Leuser Ecosystem in the Province of Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia. Tripa is famous for being one of the few remaining peat swamp forest habitats with the highest densities of Orangutans in the world. Experts are warning that if the current wave of illegal palm oil expansion in Tripa is not halted immediately, its unique Sumatran Orangutan population could be extinct before the end of this year. In 1990, the Tripa orangutan population was estimated at 2000-3000 or more, but is now considered to be possibly less than 200 individuals. The Leuser Ecosystem is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots on earth, and the Tripa Peat Swamp Forest is a key part of it.

Over the last 6 months you have helped Tripa become an important test case for the Indonesian authorities as International pressure for its protection has skyrocketed. A multi-billion dollar REDD+ agreement between Indonesia and Norway has been severely tested. The UNEP/UNESCO Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) has requested Tripa be saved and a global petition generated over 15,000 people, like you and your friends, demanding that Indonesia’s President SBY enforce Indonesian law in Tripa, with the prosecution of offenders, and the restoration of the full 61,000 ha of Tripa’s original forest. As a direct result of this pressure the Indonesian Government, via the Ministry of the Environment and National Police, is now conducting a detailed investigation into the illegal destruction taking place and legal action is imminent.

The Chairman of Indonesia’s REDD+ Taskforce, Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, recently wrote to the newly elected Governor of Aceh, Zaini Abdullah, requesting that 2 oil palm plantation permits in Tripa be immediately revoked, and at the same time verbally indicated the need for all plantation permits in Tripa to be withdrawn, and for Tripa’s peat swamp forest ecosystem to be fully restored. To do this, an additional 3 more oil palm plantation companies urgently need to be placed under investigation and fully included in forthcoming legal action. To prosecute the offenders and revoke the permits we must mobilize our legal counterparts now.

The next 6 months requires a serious investment of energy and funds, to retain key staff and add capacity to the legal and communications teams in Jakarta and Sumatra. Indonesian National Law has clearly been violated. Now comes the absolutely critical stage of ensuring the courts uphold justice in this landmark case.

The ability to succeed in this case does, of course, depend on adequate funding, but the financial situation is now also critical. Funds are desperately needed to retain core staff involved in essential legal and lobbying activities, and ensure the opportunity is seized to save and restore Tripa.

There will be no more chances for Tripa and its orangutans if this campaign were to falter now; WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TODAY!

Action around the world has created the perfect conditions to enforce the law and restore Tripa Contact Person: Shayne McGrath – Tripa Restoration Campaign Manager: [email protected] URGENT TRIPA FUNDRAISING APPEAL

“It has taken 100% dedication and complete commitment from a very small team here, operating in “impossible” conditions, to create the public and political playing field where we can succeed in our goal, the full restoration of Tripa. Their work to date has been simply phenomenal, and losing them now would be a huge blow, quite possibly resulting in the eventual loss of the forest, the Sumatran Orangutans, Tigers, Sun Bears, and everything else that still calls Tripa home.

Tripa is a line in the sand, a hugely important test case for the Indonesian Authorities. Our contacts inside all realms of the Indonesian Government agree that Tripa can be saved and restored, and that it is indeed essential to rebuild international faith in Indonesian forest management. Many high profile, powerful politicians are banking their personal reputations to make sure we are successful. The next steps we take will determine the fate of Tripa. Forever.”

Shayne McGrath, Tripa Restoration Campaign Manager

Short summary of major milestones and campaign successes

2011

Coalition of NGOs launched a Legal challenge in Banda Aceh Administrational Court (PTUN)

Criminal Case registered by Tripa community with National Police in Jakarta

Media launch at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Durban

2012

Over 300 International Newspaper articles published (including Indonesia’s and Norway’s largest daily papers), Reuters, APP, AFP and ongoing Television News and Documentary coverage including BBC, NBC, ABC, ARD, and SBS Australia

Over 15,000 people around the world signed a petition to President SBY, REDD+ Taskforce Chairman, Minister of Forestry, Chief of National Police, Head of National Council on Climate Change, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Executive Director of Indonesian Palm Oil Association, World Bank Investigation Team, Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia, Aceh Governor and Aceh Vice Governor asking for Indonesia’s laws to be enforced in Tripa

Presidential working group visit to Tripa including Minister of Forestry, Minister of Environment, National Police, Attorney General’s office, and Academic Experts.

‘Triple Track’ (criminal, administrational and civil) legal investigation launched by Indonesian Ministry of Environment and National Police against law breaking companies

REDD+ Taskforce hand delivers an official letter to the Aceh Governor requesting the cancellation of key permits in Tripa, and discussing the full restoration of Tripa

The next major milestones and successes are IN YOUR HANDS!

Program Description The next six months will be a critical time in the campaign to restore Tripa as ongoing investigations are expected to finally enter the National Courts for prosecution. During this period it is more essential than ever that a legal lobby group is formed and mobilised in Jakarta, supported by a communications / administration officer and an action team, when and wherever necessary:

i) Campaign Manager; to direct, oversee and manage all campaign activities ii) Legal Lobby Team; to work with Lead Lawyer and make regular visits to National Police, Ministry of Environment, REDD+ Taskforce, Legal Institutes, Media and other stakeholders iii) Communications/Administration Officer; to work part-time in Jakarta to facilitate activities of legal team, and provide regular reports to campaign team iv) Action Team; to work with Communications Officer and Campaign Manager to mobilise supporters (e.g for demonstrations and other actions) and media activities/events to apply consistent public pressure

Objective 1. Retain Current Campaign Manager

Activity 1.1. Continue to manage core strategic direction of campaign coalition Activity 1.2. Orchestrating and coordinating media, coalition, politics, logistics, actions etc

Objective 2. Maximise Legal Capacity and Mobilisation in Jakarta

Activity 2.1. Campaign lawyers to engage legal allies through existing networks Activity 2.2. Legal team to meet with UKP4, REDD+ Taskforce, Ministry of Environment Investigation Team, National Police & provide briefings to NGOs and media. Activity 2.3. Legal team to monitor legal proceedings, including ongoing meetings and communication of news and developments to civil society through media and public events.

Objective 3. Enhance Communications / Media and Campaign Outreach

Activity 3.1. Maintain current Communications Officer based in Aceh Activity 3.2. Hire a new part-time Communications / Administration assistant in Jakarta

Objective 4. Prepare strategic actions team for media and political events

Activity 4.1. Liase with global networks for international action and mobilisation Activity 4.2. Conduct public activities at key locations at key times

We must act now, the ongoing investigations are set to be ready for the National Courts in a matter of weeks.

It is critical to strengthen the capacity of the legal team in Jakarta. This team will work with investigators to ensure the judges fully understand the case before it hits the courts, and liaise with them through the entire legal process. They will also need to keep key stakeholders briefed regularly to prevent political interference.

In conjunction to this, a communications officer will be appointed in Jakarta to focus on networking this information to partner NGOs and media.

All required positions already have ideal, experienced candidates shortlisted.

Timeline

Month Activity Expected outcomes 1 2 3 4 5 6 1.1 Manage the coalition and campaign planning 1.2 Campaign coordinated in smooth and efficient manner 2.1 Build legal support and advocacy capacity 2.2 Enhance political relationships and ensure legal accuracy of investigations 2.3 Maintain key relationships and transfer of legal accuracy and process 3.1 Maintain website, social media, supporter engagement and media tools 3.2 Facilitate legal communication between relevant offices 4.1 Continue preparation for international mobilization 4.2 Coordinate International mobilization program

Budget Department Budget Cost Wages USD 25,000 Campaign Manager Logistics USD 15,000 Equipment USD 10,000 Wages USD 25,000 Communications Equipment USD 10,000 Logistics USD 20,000 Wages USD 15,000 Legal Team Logistics USD 15,000 Action Team Logistics USD 15,000 Total USD 150,000

It is anticipated that supporters can raise funds and donate to contribute towards smaller aspects of the budget

By working together we can ensure we reach our goal

As an individual or an organization, your support is urgently needed now.

“Indonesia’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, protect its tropical forests and save threatened species have never been under such intense international scrutiny. Success in Tripa will set a hugely important precedent that will help forests throughout the country. Failure in Tripa, on the other hand, will simply reiterate the fact that none of Indonesia’s forests, or magnificent wildlife are safe.”

Dr Ian Singleton, Director of Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme

You can make a donation by donating to the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme’s Tripa Campaign PayPal Account online at:

http://www.sumatranorangutan.org/content-n51-sE.html

Private donations of USD$10,000 – $50,000 are eligible to receive dollar for dollar matching

(details of fund matching available from Shayne McGrath)

For private or organisational donations please contact:

Shayne McGrath, Tripa Restoration Campaign Manager at [email protected]

Ian Singleton, Director of Conservation, SOCP at [email protected]

Donations are non tax-deductible, yet one day you can visit the Tripa peat swamp forests and know that it was your generosity and action that saved the Orangutans of Tripa and allowed these globally important forests to be fully restored and protected.

Support is coming in many ways, from hosting fundraising activities and events, to personal and private donations. Please rally around your community and friends and donate as generously as possible.

Unprecedented Media Coverage • Over 100 international media articles were generated between December 2011 and February 2012 • Over 400 articles, including prominent international publications such as Time magazine and the Guardian, were generated in March and April 2012 alone, in response to tragic fires and a heavily criticized court verdict in Banda Aceh.

Global media interest remains almost as hot as the fire hotspots themselves, and new articles following progress of the investigations continue to be published regularly. Examples include;

Huffington Post, ‘Orangutan Emergency in Indonesia: the Edge of Extinction’, 19 April 2012. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-tarbotton/orangutan-emergency-in-in_b_1436125.html orangutan-emergency-in-in_b_1436125.html Bloomberg, ‘Norway, Indonesia $1 billion forest pact broken, group says’, 30 November 2011. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-30/norway-indonesia-1-billion-forest-pact-broken-group-says.html Jakarta Post, ‘Govt seeks to overturn Aceh’s granting of forest clearing permit’, 10 December 2011, http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/12/10/govt-seeks-overturn-aceh-s-granting-forest-clearingpermit.html Jakarta Globe, ‘Ministry to probe Aceh forest clearing permit’, 14 December 2011, http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/nvironment/ministry-to-probe-aceh-forest-clearing-permit/484331#Scene_1 The Independent (UK), ‘Rebel hero who has ‘betrayed’ the last of the Orangutans’, 31 January 2012, http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/rebel-hero-who-has-betrayed-the-last-of-acehs-orangutans- 6297297.html Mongabay, Palm oil case against ‘Green Governor’ in Indonesia heats up’, 22 March 2012, http://news.mongabay.com/2012/0321-aceh_vs_wahli.html Aftenposten (Norway’s largest newspaper), ‘Indonesia investigates violations of forest agreement with Norway’, 28 February 2012. http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/Indonesia-undersoker-brudd-paskogavtalen-med- Norge-6770264.html Reuters, ‘Orangutans in Indonesia's Aceh forest may die out in weeks’, 28 March 2012 http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/28/us-indonesia-environment-idUSBRE82R0NK20120328 The Guardian, ‘Rare Sumatran orangutans dying as fires rage in Indonesian swamp forest’, 28 March 2012, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/28/sumatran-orangutans-dying-indonesia-forestfire? fb=native&CMP=FBCNETTXT9038 Time Magazine, ‘Indonesian fires threaten orangutans’, 29 March 2012. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2110425,00.html The Australian, ‘Orangutans may be wiped out – warning’, 29 March 2012. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news-old/orangutans-may-be-wiped-out-warning/storyfn3dxity- 1226313009487 Aljazeera, ‘Fires threaten Sumatran orangutans’, 29 March 2012, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asiapacific/2012/03/201232983425863276.html Voice of America, ‘Experts: Forest fires could kill off Indonesian orangutans this year’, 29 March 2012, http://www.voanews.com/english/news/environment/Experts-Forest-Fires-Could-Kill-Off-Indonesian- Orangutans-This-Year--144678575.html Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Indonesian court backs palm oil company over orangutans and carbon storage’, 4 April 2012, http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/indonesian-court-backs-palm-oil-companyover-orangutans-and- carbon-storage-20120403-1wau2.html Forbes Advocate, ‘Appeal likely in palm oil dispute’, 4 April 2012. http://www.forbesadvocate.com.au/news/world/world/general/appeal-likely-in-palm-oil-dispute/2510937.aspx

The International Profile of the campaign to save Tripa has already reached unprecedented levels and well known, globally renowned news and documentary teams continue to film in Tripa and produce numerous regular news articles.

For in-depth and latest news: www.endoftheicons.wordpress.com

Action around the world has created the perfect conditions to enforce the law and restore Tripa Contact Person: Shayne McGrath – Tripa Restoration Campaign Manager: [email protected]