With the dry season approaching the Borneo forests, The Orangutan project is attempting to raise $115,000 to protect against forest fires.
Data from the SiPongi (Karhutla Monitoring System) reported in 2019 that approximately 317,749 hectares of forest were burned down in Central Kalimantan. If fire rips through the area again, many orangutans and other critical wildlife will suffer. Even if some animals manage to escape, the devastation of fire will have a ripple effect that will impact their ability to survive by destroying natural food resources and their ability to reproduce. Why is the Sebangau Forest in danger? Peat forests are some of the most carbon-rich ecosystems in the world. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, peat can store up to 550 gigatonnes of carbon, exceeding the carbon stored in all other vegetation types. As a result, if the forest catches fire, it could burn non-stop for months. Peat, or decomposed tree matter, has been compacted in a wet, swamp environment for thousands of years. When plant material does not fully decay in wetland areas, it becomes peat. When it builds up, it holds water, creating a wet blanket on the ground that can help prevent forest fires. However, due to climate change and illegal logging, the forests are experiencing longer and more frequent droughts, causing peat forests to disappear. This is further aggravated by the creation of canals by illegal loggers. The illegal loggers create canals as a means to transport timber causing the water in the area to drain. This led to widespread drainage of the peatland and drying out of the forest. Thus, a simple spark can now make dry peat light up and start large devastating fires, which would threaten the whole ecosystem. This area is the home to the largest population of Bornean orangutans, meaning that their lives are at risk every dry season. How you can be part of the solution? The Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) goes into the forest before every dry season to conduct a program of blocking up the old disused canals and wetting the peat. This ensures leaf litter and water is retained in the ecosystem, lowering the risk of it catching fire. It is extremely difficult and physically demanding to drag materials through the forest to build the necessary dams to keep the forest and its wildlife safe. A team is required to build several hundred dams as every single canal requires dozens of dams to be built. To date, the organization has built hundreds of dams using sustainable materials. However, these efforts are costly, and The Orangutan Project — which partners with Borneo Nature Foundation — is required to raise $115,000 to help fund construction of more dams throughout the forest. Each dam requires constant monitoring and repairs. A shortfall of funds We are urging everyone to be a part of the solution by donating money to ensure BNF has the materials necessary to keep the forests from burning this dry season. Without funding, the lives of many orangutans, as well as other wildlife and people, are at serious risk. Their goal is to raise $115,000. Please consider being part of a movement that will preserve the forest and save the lives of countless endangered wildlife and their precious habitat. Click here to donate. Comments are closed.
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AuthorKatrina Sriranpong is a philanthropist with a passion for aiding disadvantaged children, advocating for refugees from war-torn countries as well as promoting animal rights and protection. Archives
April 2024
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