Outreach Development of Indonesia’s Outlying Areas

tEmPo/IQBAl lUBIS

The Unprotected Forest of Nantu On May 19, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed the moratorium on forest logging, as evidence of Indonesia’s commitment to the Environmental MoU with Norway. Many of Indonesia’s forests have been exploited and destroyed, including Nantu Forest in Gorontalo. This site is known as the most important refuge for rare and near-extinct animals in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, the local authorities fi nd it diffi cult to fi ght the destruction that has been going on for a long time, due to illegal logging, gold mining and harvesting of rattan and bamboo trees. What needs to be done to stop the destruction of Nantu Forest? A special report from Gorontalo, North Sulawesi for Tempo English Edition.

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IX large logs were tied up in one of the corners of the port at Mohiolo village, Aspara- ga subdistrict, Gorontalo dis- trict. With each log measur- Sing about 4 meters, the logs were lined up beside the motorboat of a local res- ident. “That is not confiscated timber. The owner is a ’catch and carry’ work- er,” an elderly gray-haired man sud- denly spoke to a youth who was turning his attention to the wood. The one spo- ken to just listened in silence. That afternoon, Saturday a week ago, the port was quiet as usual. The heat of the sun baked one’s skin. It took three hours by motorboat from Mahiolo to Nantu Forest. At times throughout the journey, the boat passengers had to help no

push the boat because of the shallow- ai ness of Paguyaman River. The river that l P pe to

is only as deep as an adult’s chest is an is r h entry way into Nantu Forest—located C in Gorontalo province, Sulawesi. The area of this animal reserve is 31,215 hectares. The area encompass- Babirusa in Adudu salt lick. she says. es three districts: Gorontalo, Boalemo In 2002, Clayton established Yayas- and North Gorontalo. Researchers de- Ravaged Nantu Forest. an Adudu Nantu International (Yani) scribe Nantu as one of the five best to mobilize more intensive and broad- biodiversity sites in Southeast Asia. If essary because many rattan gatherers er conservation efforts. Yani has an Nantu Forest is cut down, almost 50 and gold miners encroach upon the for- MoU with the North Sulawesi Natural million tons of carbon dioxide would est illegally. Resource Conservation Center (BKSDA be released polluting the atmosphere. “Prior to being guarded by the offi- Sulut). Besides working with the po- d This amount is the same as half the CO2 a cers, almost every day I would see dead lice, Yani has socialized Nantu conser- m emissions from Hong Kong. h rare animals like pig deer and anoa vation efforts and implemented com- Nantu Forest is also the best habitat snared by irresponsible people,” says munity empowerment, providing schol- usuf A

for various wild animal species only S/Y Clayton. Even though these animals arships and repairing infrastructure of R E found in Sulawesi. Like the babirusa or T are included in the category of protect- school buildings. “Another effort I have EU pig-deer, anoa or dwarf buffalo (Bub- R ed wildlife by the Indonesian govern- undertaken is to publicize the unique- alus depressicornis), Sulawesi mon- ment and international law, listed in ness and biodiversity of Nantu Forest key (Macaca heckii), Sulawesi tarsier, and seriously prevented, Nantu can be- anoa meat are carried out of Nantu il- At the Adudu salt lick, a hot-wa- the red book of IUCN and CITES. Lo- on a local, national and international and more than 90 kinds of birds, includ- come merely a memory in the future. legally. “Rattan from Nantu is usually ter spring containing sulphur can be cal residents have observed the same scale,” adds Clayton. ing 35 which are endemic. When Tempo Signs of the destruction are beginning exported to Surabaya. While pig deer found—which is the main attraction thing. “Since 1994, pig deer were no In 2008, Yani collaborated with the visited, some of these birds were not the to appear. Water from the Nantu and meat is usually sold in the wildlife mar- for various forms of wildlife. Accord- longer seen once the region was opened Indonesian Association of Goronta- least bit bothered by the presence of hu- Paguyaman rivers have grown muddy ket in Minahasa, North Sulawesi,” ex- ing to Clayton, the pig deer most fre- for transmigration,” says Rusdin, a res- lo Families (KKIG)—an association of mans as they were preoccupied with en- since 2007 as a result of illegal mining in plains Alvin. quently come. “Ninety-eight percent of ident of Daenaa village. people from Gorontalo living in oth- joying the muddy river water. the upstream area, and logging. “There the activities observed are undertaken Besides destruction of the trees and er regions, together with the Indone- Unfortunately, not only the birds are four locations of gold mining within l l l by the pig deer. The remainder by oth- animals, the river in Nantu has seri- sian Association of Gorontalo Univer- were noisy. Forest encroachers were the Nantu region, that is Olongia, Botu- FIVE babirusas are playing togeth- er endemic mammals,” explains Clay- ously suffered. “The river is polluted. sity Students (HPIMG). The goal was also noisily pulling rafts full of logs. wonggubu, Nantu Kecil, and Botutum- er. A large tusked male keeps contin- ton. From 1988 until 1994, Clayton has Poison is sprinkled to catch fish and to socialize the importance of preserv- Large dead trees languished by the side baha,” says Alvin. uously licking a puddle of water. Not gathered and recorded data about the shrimp,” Clayton explains. The flow of ing Nantu Forest. “KKIG together with or the middle of the river. “Almost ev- Not to mention the illegal hunting far from this throng of animals, birds behavior of pig deer, their habitat and Paguyaman River has become irregu- Yani and other elements of Goronta- ery day the hauling of wood can be seen of pig-deer (Babyrousa babyrussa), a are busy frolicking. This place is called ecosystem in Nantu Forest. “Pig deer lar, always shifting, because there are lo society began to socialize the issue to all along the river,” said Alvin Bawo- unique, endemic species of Sulawesi. Adudu salt lick—a salty mineral depos- are a unique species. Their tusks grow no longer any large trees on the river- the Regional House of Representatives, han, a 32-year-old assistant research- According to Alvin, although the area is it—with an area of about 20 x 60 me- out of their snouts curling back to in banks as a buffer for the flow of water. educators, and citizens living near Nan- er from Yayasan Adudu Nantu Interna- patrolled almost every day with mem- ters, surrounded by large trees. It is lo- front of their eyes,” she says. Seeing the condition of Nantu wors- tu Forest,” explains Syafrudin Mosii, tional (Yani). bers of Gorontalo Regional Brimob (Mo- cated in the core zone of Nantu Forest Their food is the poisonous Pangi ening, in 1997 Lynn Clayton invited the director of KKIG. At this time Nantu is one of the few bile Brigade) Police, there are still those and can be reached within 15 minutes seeds. When licking the Adudu pool, Brimob of Gorontalo Regional Police to However, their efforts always met forests in Sulawesi that is still intact. that they miss. As a result, thousands from the guard post. “There is only one the pig deer get various minerals to pro- assist in eradicating illegal encroach- strong opposition. One of the largest But if the destruction is not quickly of cubics of timber, rattan, pig deer and Adudu in the world. Here we can see tect their stomachs from becoming too ment and gold mining. From that time incidents took place in 2009. At the rare and unique animals congregating acidic and to protect them from poi- until now, almost every day there is al- time, the Brimob personnel in Nantu and playing,” says Lynn Clayton, a re- son. Clayton discovered Adudu in 1989. ways a patrol. “As an environmental- were on patrol and succeeded in res- Outreach Team Editor: Yuli Ismartono Deputy Editor: Hermien Y. Kleden Project Officer: Sadika Hamid Writers: Sadika Hamid, searcher from Oxford University, Eng- She then set up a guard post in this lo- ist, I was moved to struggle with all my cuing 73 rafts of rattan. One raft con- Syari Fani Reporter: Christopel Paino (Gorontalo) Graphic Design: Eko Punto Pambudi Layout: Galih Gerryaldi Photo Research: land who has spent 22 years studying cation protected by four Brimob per- might to increase the security of the for- tains 20 to 30 pieces of rattan. The fol- Bismo Agung Nantu Forest. sonnel. The Brimob personnel are nec- est with the help of police enforcement,” lowing morning, about a hundred peo-

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Lynn Clayton, Researcher at Nantu Forest: Conservation and poverty eradication can be done simultaneously

N Gorontalo, people are apt to mention Lynn Clayton when Nan- tu Forest is the topic of conver- sation. This 47-year-old British woman has spent 23 years among Ithe protected flora and fauna in Nantu. Clayton’s adventure first began in 1986 in Kendari, capital of Southeast Sulawesi province. From there she hopped from one remote island to an- other in the region, all the way to Cen- tral Sulawesi, to Morowali Nation- al Park and Lake Poso. Two years lat- er, she came to Nantu, Gorontalo. The r e cost of the entire trip came out of her ll Hunters in Nantu, own pocket and her knowledge of In- m Mue threatening endemic donesia then was mediocre at best. chu

Jo animals. For over six months, she trekked in and out of the Sulawesi forests, in search

of a location to do her research. But she . ple arrived at the guard post carrying side the Nantu wildlife reserve region. For Lynn Clayton the presence of the could not find the right one. Just when it c e do t a v

sharp objects. They asked for the con- “Because the rattan outside the re- gold mining and Derap Mas cooperative looked quite hopeless, Clayton walked i r fiscated rattan to be returned. “If not, gion is already gone, now the gatherers is the greatest threat after illegal log- into Paguyaman, an area inside Nan- p they wanted Rp200 million as compen- come in and destroy Nantu Forest,” says ging and rattan gathering. “This is a se- tu Forest. “At that time I was in a boat, sation. Besides that they shouted, de- Clayton. ”In the near future I will vis- rious problem. Some of the mines there accompanied by a local man named Ka in Nantu Forest have not been discov- trusion of new settlements. manding Lynn leave Gorontalo,” Alvin it the Gorontalo province policymakers use mercury which can poison the Pa- Olie, who claimed to have seen herds of ered yet. My conservationist friends on Your presence in Nantu Forest often rai- Bawohan, assistant researcher to Lynn and ask them to revoke licenses for tak- guyaman River watershed (DAS), the boars around the Nantu River,” Clayton the other side of the world, like in Afri- ses questions. How do you deal with that? Clayton recalls. ing rattan,” she says. source of water for thousands of resi- recounted. They camped for the night ca, are doing the same thing: spending It’s like that saying, “What you don’t Agussalim Usuli, Head of Mining With this problem not yet resolved, a dents downstream,” explains Clayton. among the thick foliage, although vil- decades in the jungle doing research. I know, you don’t like.” Many people crit- and Energy from the Gorontalo For- new problem has arisen with the gold Syafrudin regrets the lack of atten- lagers had warned them about the Po- want to turn Nantu into a school and a icize and question my presence here be- estry Department admits he has re- miners. In February 2011, they estab- tion from the regional government. “In lahi, an indigenous tribe living deep in nature laboratory for students and re- cause they don’t know Nantu. I serious- ceived many complaints from resi- lished the Derap Mas (Galloping Gold) Gorontalo there is not yet a Natural Re- the forest. searchers. I am promoting this and ly want to save the forest, which is so dents. “Mostly they say they do not like cooperative. The cooperative is located sources Conservation Center,” he says. Her hard work paid off the next day working together with the government important for Gorontalo and the world. [the presence of] Lynn Clayton in Nan- at one of the entrances to Nantu Forest. Nantu, according to Syafrudin, is too when she discovered Adudu salt lick, a and people of Gorontalo who care about But I don’t blame my critics. Conserva- tu,” he says. However, Agussalim also Its purpose is to control the gold min- far off the radar of the central govern- watering hole where animals gathered Nantu Forest. So far, everything is go- tion is full of challenges. says that Yani has received recommen- ers. Every group is given a plot. “Ev- ment. “The Forestry Ministry does not to drink. She recalled being grateful but ing smoothly. Some of the locals here have little choi- dations for monitoring Nantu Forest. ery miner must register as a member of undertake conservation in Nantu. It is very excited. “All day long I sat behind What is the biggest problem you face in ce but to hunt and gather or mine gold il- “Lynn Clayton being there is very good. the cooperative—paying Rp175,000 and not within our authority to do so. That is thick bushes, watching unique and rare carrying out conservation activities? legally to be able to survive. Yet this goes Thanks to her, the preservation of Nan- renewing that membership every two the area of the Forestry Ministry,” says animals come to the pond. The only one One big obstacle is the distance of against the principles of conservation. tu can be maintained,” he says. months. We now have over 700 mem- Agussalim. According to him, local de- in the world,” said Clayton. Since that Nantu, which is quite far. It requires What is the solution? bers,” says Slamet Modjo, 26, one of the partments only undertake rehabilita- time, she has dedicated her life to con- three hours travel by boat (from Maiho- The effort to eradicate poverty, em- l l l organizers of the cooperative. tion outside the Nantu wildlife reserve. serving Nantu Forest. lo village to Nantu Forest—Ed.) and of- power the community and conserve na- CLAYTON and the staff of Yaya- The presence of this cooperative is “But we are accustomed to coordinat- Tempo contributor Christopel Pai- ten the river is flooded. Another prob- ture can be done simultaneously. And I san Adudu Nantu International are in- very worrisome. Agussalim admits he ing with related institutions if some- no interviewed Clayton at the Adudu lem is that law enforcement here is still want to try and do it. creasingly worried about the activities was surprised to hear that the coopera- thing must be done,” he adds. Nantu International (Yani) Foundation weak, even though Nantu represents Can you give an example? of rattan gatherers today. “One group tive had already recruited members. “I Although the threat of destruction is office in Nantu Forest last week. Ex- the wealth of Gorontalo. People’s level We provide assistance (to empower consists of 23 to 30 persons and they have already reminded the managers of great, KKIG and Clayton say they have cerpts: of awareness is also still quite low. villagers—Ed.) according to the needs gather rattan to the core zone of Nantu the cooperative and also the miners that not lost hope. Moreover they plan to What have you achieved here in Nantu? and wishes of the people around Nantu. Forest,” says Clayton. as long as there are no permits, do not develop Nantu Forest as a natural lab- What made you decide to live these I managed to conserve the Adu- That’s why we distribute seedlings of The rattan gatherers obtain permits undertake activities,” he says. He ad- oratory and research center of the en- past 20 years in Nantu? du salt lick, the only open area in the teak trees, cocoa and ginger. When the to gather non-wood forest products mits that until now the Forestry Minis- vironment, biodiversity, and global cli- I love being here. Some of my fellow world where wildlife gather. Actually, people become self-sufficient and have from the regional offices of the minis- try has not yet issued permits. “We only mate. “We’re optimistic. Nantu will con- Indonesian researchers say I’m like there are two other mud holes, Noo- their own gardens, they wouldn’t need tries of Forestry, and Mining and Ener- gave a letter permitting the review of tinue to be preserved,” says Syafrudin. Mbah Marijan! Everything is so beauti- ti and Moliulo, but they have been de- to cut bamboo and look for gold. gy, but those permits are only valid out- the cooperative leaders,” he explained. n ful here. Many of the living beings here stroyed by illegal loggers, and the in- n

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Gold miners at with the aid of four Brimob (Mobile order, we founded a cooperative for Nantu river. Brigade) members had almost every miners,” Ervan explained. month seized large-sized water pumps. Today, there are about 700 coopera- The police have also frequently found tive members. For membership cards, gold miners gathering rattan or oth- each miner is required to pay Rp175,000 er wood in the Nantu zone. The con- and make renewal every two months. fi scated goods were impounded at the “Miners without membership cards are Gorontalo Regional Police offi ce. prohibited from entering the location,” Residents around Nantu said they stressed Slamet Modjo, 26, the coopera- were worried by the police operation. tive’s other executive. Rusdin Monoarfa, 56, claimed many li- According to Ervan, the cooperative censed rattan collectors were also guarantees that miners will not dam- raided and arrested by well-armed Bri- age the Nantu Forest zone. Miners are mob offi cers. “Even those gathering not allowed to engage in any activi- fi rewood were also captured,” said Rus- ty other than gold mining. “We realize din, a resident of Daenaa hamlet, Mohi- Nantu Forest is protected. We guar- olo village, Asparaga district, Goronta- antee there will be no forest damage. lo regency. We are only skilled in panning gold to In fact, the forest zone communi- support our families, so everybody de- ty depends on Nantu’s natural environ- pends on this mine,” he pointed out. ment. To earn a living for their families, locals have to gather rattan or wood l l l for sale. With the police presence, he IN the view of Lynn Clayton from added, many residents turned to gold Yani, it is impossible to ban people from prospecting in the upper reaches of gathering wood or seeking gold in the the Olihatibi River, a tributary of Pa- forest without offering a solution. guyaman, as well as panning for the “They’re involved in illegal logging and precious metal in Nantu, in the area of mining for their welfare,” she said. Botuwonggubu. With its funds, Yani provided aid in the form of 7,000 teak plants and l l l 20,000 cacao plants to be grown by ERVAN Mile, 32, looked nervous as the community now living beyond the patrolling policemen approached him. Nantu Forest boundary. “The plants He spoke haltingly when he was asked were meant for their own land plots. about the establishment of the cooper- We gave the plant species as requested ative, Derap Mas. Ervan Mile is a min- by local people. Last month we also dis- er and at the same time executive of the tributed ginger seedlings to residents cooperative set up in February 2011. of Tangga hamlet, Sari Tani village, bor- ”I’m sorry, I can’t give any explanation, dering Nantu Forest,” added Clayton. please wait for the cooperative chair- If this plant cultivation succeeds, res- man. He’s meeting with the regent,” idents will hopefully no longer mine said Ervan. or log illegally. “Who knows the cacao Ervan wasn’t mining that day. He was they planted has been harvested and busy with cooperative membership. their products may bear the brand, ‘Co- Later, after talking for a while, Ervan kelat Nantu’,” said Clayton in anticipa- Panning for Life described many things about gold min- tion. CHrIStoPEl PAIno ing in the Nantu zone. “A miner, if for- But she believes the key to Nantu’s tunate, can fi nd 12-14 grams of gold. future conservation is schooling. The The conditions here are still better foundation has given writing books The people in this forest reserve have no choice other than to pan er spots. upstream areas is seen as causing dis- compared with the gold in Bogani Nani with rare wildlife pictures, contributed On Saturday last week, at nearly all turbance. According to Alvin, they usu- Wartabone National Park (North Su- primary school furniture, and in 2004 for gold and collect rattan in order to survive. The government should edges of Nantu River and Paguyaman ally make use of Alkon, a big six-inch lawesi),” he said. assigned a teacher from Australia for a intervene so conservation and poverty relief can go hand in hand in River, dozens of groups of residents water pump to spray the river walls. The location under their manage- year to help teach English at Pangahu were panning gold. A group could com- Local people assume that the gold in ment, he continued, covers an area of village’s primary school. “We also of- proper equilibrium. prise three to fi ve people. A number Nantu River lies on the surface known only about 250 hectares occupied by fer scholarships to two needy children of housewives were also absorbed in as topsoil. “Consequently, Nantu and over 1,000 miners. They came from the from villages nearest to Nantu Forest to WO children, a boy and a girl, They were river gold miners, pan- the work. “The rivers here bear a lot of Paguyaman rivers have become muddy environs of Gorontalo and no farther further their studies to higher levels of plunged into water by the edge ning river sand, sieving, shaking it and gold. They hope to gain leftover gold until today,” added Alvin. than Bolaang Mongondow, North Su- education,” said a happy Clayton. of Nantu River. They were play- removing fi ne sand in hopes of fi nd- carried downstream from the mining He revealed that raids conducted lawesi. “So for the purpose of creating n ing cheerfully in the muddy riv- ing gold amid the gravel caught in their operation in upstream areas,” said Al- er, waving to traditional ketint- sieves. There were no devices like siev- vin Bawohan, 32, a research assistant Ting boats as they sailed past. Behind the ing machines to help their activity. Ev- at Yayasan Adudu Nantu Internasion- children, four adults were energetical- erything was traditionally done. If no al (Yani), a conservation foundation in ...it is impossible to ban people from gathering wood or seeking ly lifting gravel and sand from the riv- gold could be found, they would repeat Gorontalo. erbed. the same process several times in oth- The presence of gold prospectors in gold in the forest without offering a solution.

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Parlous ESEArCHErS from the International Center for research in Agroforestry (ICrAF) Bogor and Brawijaya University along with local stakeholders agree that nantu stores a carbon reserve Rof around 200 tons per hectare. With an area of 31,215 hectares, nantu is pivotal to the Gorontalo community as a water catchment source through the river basin of Paguyaman, one of the largest rivers in northern Sulawesi. today the position of nantu Forest tends to arouse anxiety. the local Forestry, mining and Energy offi ces license the collection of non-wood forest products by local residents. they are allowed to Sulawesi monkey (Macaca hecki) gather rattan exclusively outside the nantu wildlife reserve. In reality, the location of rattan collection Macaca hecki or short-tail monkeys are has far extended into the core forest zone. Sulawesi’s endemic primates whose habitat Gold prospecting is also one of the causes of nantu’s worsening conditions. Below is a map of the is threatened by shrinkage. their rarity also distribution of nantu’s damage and the various endemic animals still surviving in the zone. results from hunting as they are considered a pest. the IUCn puts them in the endangered status of conservation. Endangered Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) Tangkasi/Tarsier Population: 500 (1980s), ±200 (2010) (Tarsius Spectrum) living in packs with strongest breeder males as By anatomy and leaders, babirusa only delivers one offspring a year. the physiology, a tarsier species has a lifespan of 24 years. Its serious threat is is diminutive with shrinking space, declining habitat quality and hunting. very large eyes. this the International Union for Conservation of nature endemic species only (IUCn) lists the animal in the vulnerable category of has a single mate and conservation and prohibits its hunting and trading. spends most of its life in a tree. In 1990, the IUCn included Tarsius in the endangered wildlife category.

Anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) Maleo (Macrocephalon) Population: 100 maleo buries its eggs in warm the small size of anoa makes it soil or in coastal ground attractive. Its life span reaches 25 exposed to the sun. the bird years. the rarity of this species is is threatened with extinction due to hunting for consumption, as its habitat is dwindling and habitat damage and its low its eggs are stolen by humans reproduction pattern. According for consumption and trading, to the IUCn, anoa belongs to the even for souvenirs. the status endangered status of conservation of maleo under the IUCn is and its transaction is prohibited. endangered.

Deforestation of Nantu Natural Reserve Extended Area in 1990-2007 Gorontalo and Boalemo regency, Gorontalo province

nortH GorontAlo dIStrICt nAntUForESt.orG Birds habitat at nantu river. nAntU nAtUrAl rESErvE ProtECtEd ForESt nantu nr Extended Area Boundaries lImItEd ProdUCtIon SoUrCES: WWW. ForESt Forest 2007 tEmPoIntErAKtIF.Com, WWW.WAllACEA.orG, deforestation 2000-07 WWW.nAntUForESt. GorontAlo dIStrICt GorontAloFAmIlY.orG, WWW.GorontAloProv. deforestation 1990-2000 Go.Id, tHE nAntU ForESt FUnd rEPort YAYASAn AdUdU BoAlEmo dIStrICt non-forest nAntU IntErnAtIonAl| IllUStrAtIon: BonItA KAUlItZ Gold mine location

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