BIJAK BULLETIN Volume 1I January - March 2019

Photo: Q Phia Attribution CC by 2.0 A silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) IN THIS EDITION: Ensures Page 1 Indonesia Ensures Sustainable Shark Trade Sustainable Shark Trade Page 2 Humans have always been fascinated by sharks. Although this fascination Indonesia’s Conservation Champion has often centered around the fear of being attacked by sharks, the threat that humans pose to sharks is so serious that it has pushed several species to the Page 3 brink of extinction. International demand for shark fins, meat, cartilage, and organs has increased rapidly, and as a result, sharks are now considered to be A Portal into Indonesia’s Rich Biological Diversity one of the most threatened species groups in the world. Indonesian waters are home to 116 shark and ray species, 26 of Page 4 which have high economic value. According to the Food and Agriculture Collaborative Management is Key to Successful Organization (FAO), Indonesia is the third largest exporter of shark fins and Essential Ecosystem Areas meat globally. Between 2000 to 2011, Indonesia caught more than 105,000 tons of shark and exported more than 1,200 tons of shark fin, annually. The Page 5 silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) contributes to 40 percent of Indonesia’s annual shark catch. With a low reproduction rate and a high harvest rate, the Lessons from Six Parks Strengthen Conservation Partnerships silky shark is at high risk of being depleted in the wild. Given the precipitous decline in shark populations in recent years and the listing of several shark species found in Indonesian waters in Appendix II of Page 6 the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna Youth Supports World Pangolin Day Through Art and Flora (CITES), the Government of Indonesia has prioritized improving the management of sharks. In late 2018, USAID BIJAK and the Indonesian Institute Calling Indonesia’s Youth to Love the Forest of Sciences (LIPI) Research Center on Oceanography (P2O) completed

This newsletter is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this newsletter are the sole responsibility of Chemonics International and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. and export quotas, and the domestic distribution of sharks,” said Head of the LIPI’s Oceanography Research Center, Dr. Dirhamsyah. “ The key to maintain a healthy population of sharks in the wild is the careful management of trade and utilization of this species.” On April 15, LIPI officially launched the NDF document for silky shark. To support sustainable trade Photo: Benaya Simeon / WCS Indonesia Programme of the species, LIPI have proposed 80,000 individuals for a combined export and catch quota. This quota the first science-based risk assessment that considers the will significantly reduce the annual legal catch of silky sharks vulnerability of the silky shark in relation to how it is managed. in Indonesia which is currently around 350,000 individuals. The assessment, called a non-detriment finding (NDF), is The standard protocols for conducting the silky shark NDF a critical step toward defining management practices and assessment and quota setting will be used to improve the sustainable trade levels, ultimately aimed at stopping or slowing management of other threatened shark species showing down population decline of vulnerable species. that Indonesia is serious about their role in marine species “This NDF is an important policy base for setting catch conservation and sustainable trade of sharks. Indonesia’s Biodiversity Conservation Champion The Directorate of Biodiversity Conservation (KKH) and USAID BIJAK have had a long, productive partnership, working together to develop and implement the Helmeted Hornbill SRAK, protected species identification guidelines, and technical support for Indonesia’s participation at CITES inter-sessional events. For this newsletter, our editorial team spoke with KKH’s current director Ibu Indra Exploitasia Semiawan to chat about her achievements, vision, and hopes for wildlife conservation in Photo: Midaria Saragih for USAID Indonesia. Indra Exploitasia Semiawan (third from right) is the Director of KKH, Directorate General Ecosystem and Natural Resources Conservation (DG Tell us about yourself. KSDAE), Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK). I graduated from IPB as a veterinarian and I did my research on the Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). I had a strong What is the main challenges in biodiversity conservation in interest in being a veterinarian for wild animals, which during Indonesia? that time was not even a profession. Before leading KKH, I Mainstreaming biodiversity into our national development. was the Director of PPH (Forest Protection and Prevention), All government sectors should integrate biodiversity in their DG Gakkum (Law Enforcement). My tenure in KLHK has development process, such as wildlife habitat protection given me the opportunity to be a conservation medic as through ecosystem-based spatial planning development. part of conservation management, and work on biodiversity conservation and utilization. What does success in biodiversity conservation look like to you? If we can make humans and wildlife live in harmony. Symbiotic What drives you, what is your passion? mutualism: living together while benefitting each other. Wildlife My passion is to be able to “communicate” with wild animals, as plays a significant ecological function in maintaining the integrity one of earth’s inhabitants. of forest ecosystems. Human, especially those living near forests, can sustainably benefit from ecosystem services provided by forests. What’s your biggest achievement in 2018? I was in DG Gakkum in 2018. I made a system to monitor Then, what is your plan for the next five years? forest vulnerability and developed an institution that would Balance development while still providing living space for protect forests in West Nusa Tenggara Province. wildlife. There is only one Earth. We are all living in the same planet. It is our responsibility to share this space with other forms of life.

You view of BIJAK and how can they help your vision? We have a great working relationship with BIJAK. We want to develop innovations towards Conservation 4.0 – like Industrial Revolution 4.0 – adapting concepts like digital economy, artificial intelligence, big data, and robotic. Perhaps BIJAK could support us to move closer towards achieving that.

Photo: KLHK

Indra Exploitasia Semiawan (center) at an event to combat wildlife crime, 2 Gakkum, KLHK. Photo: Willy Ekariyono / Indonesia Wildlife Photography

Photo: Danumurthi Mahendra for USAID Photo: Paul Hilton / WCS Indonesia Programme Indonesia is home to unique ecosystems with thousands of flora and fauna species: Dense forest cover at Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, a white-rumped shama (Copsychus malabaricus), and a Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica). A Portal into Indonesia’s Rich Biological Diversity Indonesia, an archipelago state with more than 17,000 Convention on Biological Diversity. BIJAK then facilitated islands, has the highest terrestrial and marine species biological workshops to map data sources that would provide the content diversity on earth. The country is home to unique ecosystems for the platform, and convened coordination meetings to gather with thousands of flora and fauna species, many of them inputs on the system, to secure institutional commitments to endemic (found nowhere else in the world). share data, and to define how the clearing house would be Despite this rich endowment, Indonesia’s biodiversity is populated and continuously updated. facing massive pressure from the impacts of human activities. BIJAK also provided management information system The damage caused by poaching, illegal trade, and the technical assistance and engaged content writers to ensure destruction, degradation and fragmentation of habitats threatens that the Indonesia CHM website meets the CBD guidelines to drive many species to extinction. standards. Lastly, BIJAK established a national CHM working Indonesia joined the community of global community of group for members of CHM Indonesia to ensure the system is biodiversity conservationists by signing the Convention on maintained, updated, and runs smoothly. Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2004. The CBD is an international In July 2018, the Indonesia Biodiversity Clearing House went agreement that seeks to conserve the diversity of life on live and in November 2018, it won a gold award at the 2018 Earth at all levels - genetic, species, and ecosystem. One of UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP14), held in its mandates is that member states develop a national-level Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Once the CHM is included in Indonesia’s biodiversity information system, also known as a Clearing- RPJMN, funding for its maintenance will be guaranteed for the House Mechanism (CHM). next five years. Beyond simply meeting international convention requirements, a CHM is a valuable tool for centralizing conservation data, allowing government institutions, experts, and the general public to access information on wildlife, plants, ecosystems, and threats to biodiversity. Also, the CHM streamlines reporting on biodiversity indicators across ministries; and serves as the government’s primary tool to track progress toward achieving targets set in the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Since 2016, USAID BIJAK has supported a number of activities and events to develop collaboration and coordination to build an integrated online platform through which KLHK (Directorate PIKA, KKH, BPEE, and KK) and other stakeholders could exchange information. As a first step, BIJAK assessed biodiversity clearing houses developed by other countries The CHM portal at https://balaikliringkehati.menlhk.go.id/ provides experts, that could serve as a model for Indonesia, and reviewed the scientists, and researchers from around Indonesia an online platform to exchange guidelines for CHM development from the Secretariat of the information on flora and fauna. 3 Collaborative Management is Key to Successful Essential Ecosystem Areas

Mangrove forest at Pangpang Bay KEE Photo: In addition to protected conservation areas, Indonesia According to Director General KSDAE Pak Wiratno, possesses millions of hectares of fragile ecosystems that are protecting KEEs is a top priority for his office. “Once formalized, ecologically, socio-economically, and culturally important for the regulation and maps will provide the legal basis for local biodiversity conservation. From karsts and mangroves, to governments to manage millions of hectares of intact forest peatlands and wildlife corridors, the Ministry of Environment lands that are critical to ecosystem health and species diversity.” and Forestry (KLHK) is committed to protecting these high Indonesia’s approach is informed by case studies of conservation value landscapes. successful KEE management documented by BIJAK and FWI. USAID BIJAK, the Directorate General of Ecosystem and Co-management, where partners collectively negotiate, agree Natural Resources Conservation, Directorate of Management upon, and implement management functions, benefits and of Essential Ecosystems, Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI), and responsibilities for a set of natural resources is at the heart High Carbon Stock Approach, have been engaged in a multi- of the successes. One such case is the 2,926 hectare Teluk stakeholder effort to formulate a new regulation to protect Pangpang KEE in eastern Java, which includes 711 hectares of these ecosystems by designating them as essential ecosystem wetlands that are home to more than 30 animal species and areas (KEEs). 11 tree species of mangrove ecosystems. The area is a buffer BIJAK is leading the team to share data to develop a zone for Alas Purwo National Park. It also provides food, refuge national indicative map of KEEs, provide training to KLHK staff and nursery areas for fish, birds and other marine life; it is a on advanced Geographic Information System management, and source of livelihoods for the local community; and it provides to strengthen existing regulations to include management and opportunities for ecotourism. monitoring of KEEs. Before 2008, the area, which was formerly covered by mangroves, had become degraded by private and illegal A KEE map of Pangpang Bay shows different zones for mangroves, logging activities. Realizing that in order for the ecosystem to prawn farms, and production forest under Perum Perhutani. survive action was necessary, the local community, CSOs and government started working together, informally co-managing the area. In 2015, the arrangement was formalized when Teluk Pangpang KEE management was established. Since that time, sharing the responsibilities and the benefits of the KEE has been the key to its success. Each stakeholder is responsible for activities that are best suited to its expertise – government provides technical assistance on mangrove management, silviculture, and ecotourism development; TJ. SEMBULUNGAN community groups participate in zoning and co-patrolling activities, and also provide labor to grow and plant mangrove

WRINGIN PUTIH seedlings for restoration. Together, they all agreed on a management plan for the KEE and to implement the sustainable TELUK CALUK use practices that would keep this unique ecosystem healthy and allow them to benefit from the area in the long term.

KEDUNG GEBANG A group of lesser adjutants (Leptoptilos javanicus), one of the vulnerable bird species living in the bay.

TELUK PANGPANG

KEDUNGSARI

INZET PETA KAB. BANYUWANGI KETERANGAN: TN ALAS PURWO KABUPATEN BANYUWANGI

4 Map: Balai Besar KSDA Jawa Timur Jawa Balai Besar KSDA Map: Photo: Bernard Dupont CC BY-SA 2.0 Lessons from

Six National Parks . Strengthen Conservation Partnerships

Conservation partnerships are an innovative approach to protected area management where in exchange for formal recognition of community rights to use land within protected areas, the community agrees to sustainably manage and safeguard the areas from external threats. Typically facilitated by a national park manager, conservation partnerships bring together diverse interests at the local level, including community groups, customary communities, village governments, local governments, NGOs, Photo: Syafrizaldi Jpang for LATIN academia and the private sector. Though such partnerships have developed informally in some Indonesian national parks A farmer from Curahnongko Village cultivates seasonal crops within the over the years, a new Directorate General of Ecosystem rehabilitation zone of Meru Betiri National Park. and Natural Resources Conservation (KSDAE) regulation, Perdirjen No.6 / 2018, finally provides the legal basis for civil society to participate in forest conservation at the site level. To support the implementation of the new regulation, USAID BIJAK has partnered with Lembaga Alam Tropika Indonesia (LATIN) to document capture lessons learned, best practices, and feedback from Indonesia’s conservation partnerships. In early 2019, BIJAK and LATIN staff travelled to six national parks across the country where they learned about the benefits and challenges of partnership directly from the stakeholders who implement them. For example, in Sebangau National Park, Central Kalimantan, once the local community realized a conservation partnership could create opportunities for employment as guides and porters, and providing lodging and boat services, they were more willing to work with the national park managers in ecotourism planning and management. At National Park in , a conservation partnership has provided a win-win solution to a long-standing Photo: LATIN conflict between park managers and small-holder coffee farmers. LATIN facilitates a focus group discussion on conservation partnerships in However, park managers at Mount Ciremai National Majalengka, a town close to Mount Ciremai National Park. Park in West Java are still struggling between the potential to develop natural springs, hot springs, and waterfalls within the park to generate revenue, and the need to manage to achieve conservation goals. “We hope that by documenting these practices, national park managers will have better understanding of the value of conservation partnerships,” said Arif Aliadi, LATIN Program Coordinator. “Thus, providing their full support to implement the KSDAE regulation to empower the community and improve park management.”

Conservation partnerships will benefit local communities such as those in Saga Village, Kelimutu National Park. 5 Photo: LATIN HIGHLIGHTS

Youth Supports 2019 World Pangolin Day Through Art

USAID BIJAK launched a two-week social media campaign to generate an online conversation among Indonesian youth about how wildlife trafficking endangers animal populations Musician Sandrayati Fay performs an and forest habitat. The campaign featured a Pangolin Drawing original song in Bahasa Indonesia about Challenge, using World Pangolin Day, February 16, as a focal the need to protect nature. event to highlight the severity of wildlife crime in Indonesia. Photo: Fahmi Ramadhan for USAID Wildlife crime is a global issue driving a billion-dollar business worldwide. In Indonesia, a new study by TRAFFIC Calling Indonesia’s Youth found that up to 10,000 pangolins a year are lost to illicit trade, destined for consumer markets in China and Vietnam. to Love the Forest BIJAK’s social media campaign and pangolin drawing USAID BIJAK and the National University (UNAS) challenge received fantastic response from high school and partnered to host a three-week long celebration to inspire university students from all over Indonesia. More than135 and empower Indonesian youth as the next generation of students submitted beautiful original pangolin artwork, leaders in forest conservation. Overuse and exploitation are posted on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, rapidly degrading these invaluable forest resources. In 2017, accompanied by calls to action to get serious about tackling the world’s tropical forests lost 15.8 million hectares of tree wildlife crime. cover, 1.3 million hectares of which was from Indonesia. “I hope my contribution will help educate millennials about The celebration, which included a social media campaign, the importance of animal protection,” said @nurrahmaputri88, a #DemiHutanIndonesia challenge, and a nature photo an oceanography student at a university in Riau and one of the exhibition, culminated on March 25, the 2019 International contest winners. Day of Forests, with TED-style presentations at the UNAS Ten winners were selected to receive prizes from USAID campus delivered by environment influencers. BIJAK, WCS Indonesia, USAID LESTARI, and U.S. Forest Service. Representatives from the Indonesia Scouts Movement, Hutan Itu Indonesia, youth environmental club, a conservation champion from Papua, the private sector, and actors and performers, including Ramon Y. Tungka, Sandrayati Fay, and Davina Veronica lighted up the event. @Nurrahmaputri88 from Riau, They spoke on the interdependence between humans and @Radewanti and @Rafik_ nature, the need to combat deforestation and species loss, and Wicaksono from Yogyakarta the role that individual Indonesians can play as responsible are among the winners of the visitors to national parks, championing the sustainable use of drawing contest. forests, and supporting conservation partnerships. Each speaker closed by charging the enthusiastic crowd of more than 200 students to take personal action to love and protect Indonesia’s valuable forest resources.

Students and other visitors pledged to take action to save the forest, posting their intentions on the ‘tree of hopes’ at the BIJAK - UNAS nature photo exhibition.

Photo: Humas UNAS

BIJAK Bulletin Editorial Team USAID BIJAK – Bangun Indonesia untuk Jaga Alam demi Keberlanjutan Editor-in-chief: Symantha Holben Production Team: Danumurthi Mahendra, Fahmi Ramadhan AIA Central, Level 41, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav 48-A, Karet Semanggi, Jakarta Selatan 12930 Contributors: BBKSDA Jatim, Benaya Simeon, Bernard Dupont, BTN Alas Purwo, DKI Jakarta – Indonesia. Phone: +62 21 2253 5830 @BIJAKonservasi KLHK, Humas UNAS, Midaria Saragih, Paul Hilton, Syafrizaldi Jpang, Q Phia, Willy Ekariyono