The Harangan Tapanuli or Batang Toru Ecosystem is the last habitat for the newly described, critically endangered Tapanuli Orangutan, the rarest great ape in the world. The Tapanuli Orangutan with the scientific name ‘Pongo tapanuliensis’ population is estimate less than 800 individuals remain in the wild and only lives in the the rugged terrain of the Batang Toru Ecosystem in the three Tapanuli districts of North Sumatra.
Nanang Sujana
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Since 2004, the lands and resin forests of the Toba Batak community of Ompu Ronggur have been cleared and replaced by eucalyptus plantations of pulp company PT Toba Pulp Lestari. This State-authorised land-grab and destruction of the community’s forests violates a range of international human rights instruments ratified by the Government of Indonesia, including ILO Convention 111.
Film by Nanang Sujana for Forest Peoples Programme
West Papua is home to Asia’s largest remaining rainforests, indigenous communities and unique species. But this exclusive 101 East investigation reveals how Korean-run companies are allegedly engaging in questionable deals as they buy up forests to develop palm oil plantations. Featuring rare access to a restive Indonesian province usually off-limits to journalists, we meet tribesmen who allege that Posco International and Korindo are plundering their land for a pittance. Both companies deny all allegations including fraud and human rights abuses. Selling Out West Papua was produced in collaboration with Mongabay, The Gecko Project and the Korea Centre for Investigative Journalism.
These baby orangutans have lost their mothers, who would have taught them vital survival skills. This jungle school in Indonesia takes them in and prepares them for a life in the wild.
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