Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu

Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu (Indonesian: Cagar Biosfer Giam Siak Kecil Bukit Batu or CB-GSK-BB) is a peatland area in Riau Province of Sumatra, covering 705,271 hectares (2,723.07 sq mi) and large parts of Bengkalis Regency and Siak Regency. It is a declared UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve and supports a sustainable timber industry.[1] It is home to two wildlife reserves, namely Giam Siak Wildlife Reserve and Bukit Batu Wildlife Reserve; flagship species include the Sumatran elephant and Sumatran tiger.

History

The biosphere reserve is located in a province that has seen widespread forest destruction. Extensive logging has led to a decline in forest cover from 78% in 1982 to 33% in 2005;[2] further reduction, at an average rate of 160,000 hectares per annum, has resulted in 22% left as of 2009.[3] Deforestation has left the region vulnerable to intensifying flooding and landslides and has supported the highest of Indonesia's provincial population growth rates due to migration. Cleared land for palm oil and paper has led to not only perennial haze over the province, but also in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve was created in 2009.[4]

Flora and fauna

The reserve houses an estimated 189 species of plants, 29 of which are classified as endangered under CITES, Appendix 1 and 3.[4] Peat swamp forest flora are dominant. Several species of animals found in the reserve are classified as endangered under CITES Appendix 1 including the Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus) and Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), two species of birds, and one fish.[4] Other flagship species include the sun bear, clouded leopard, marbled cat, Malayan tapir, and hairy-nosed otter.[4][5] 162 species of moth are an important "indicator" of forest condition.[6]

Forest fires

The green area approximates the area covered by the preserve, with the red area being Dumai city (kota), within Riau province. Pekan Baru, the capital and one of the fastest growing cities in the country, is located just south west of the preserve.

Haze due to forest burning and general land clearance is common. Despite establishment of the biosphere reserve in 2009, some 22% of the fires were still burning within it some months later.[7] Again in February 2014, some 1,200 hectares of the reserve were burned.[8]

CB-GSK-BB was initiated by private parties in cooperation with the government through BBKSDA (The Center for the Conservation of Natural Resources); major stakeholders include the Sinar Mas Group, a conglomerate which owns the largest paper and pulp company in Indonesia.[9] The company marked Earth Day 2012,[10] and the reserve has won accolades and acclaim from the press and United Nations, among other groups, yet issues of air quality in the surrounding area as well as in Kuala Lumpur in neighbouring Malaysia are unresolved.[11][12]

References

  1. ↑ Haris Surono Wardi Atmodjo; Canecio P. Munoz. "Giam Siak Kecil – Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve, Riau : a learning site for implementing sustainable development in the tropical peatland landscape" (PDF). Sinarmas Forestry/APP/Ramsar. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "The Eleventh Hour for Riau's Forests: Two Global Pulp and Paper Companies Will Decide Their Fate". WWF Indonesia. June 3, 2006. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  3. ↑ Harahap, Rizal (May 16, 2009). "Logging moratorium `a must' to save Riau forests". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu". UNESCO. July 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  5. ↑ Fujita Motoko (et al.) (January 2012). "Mammals and Birds in Bukit Batu Area of Giam Siak Kecil - Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve, Riau, Indonesia" (PDF). Kyoto University. pp. 2, 10ff. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Results and Potential Research at Nominated Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve". Kyoto University. 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "EoF PR: Fires in APP/SMG Concessions". Eyes on the Forest. Retrieved 27 June 2012. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  8. ↑ Berita Satu World (February 27, 2014). "Riau Province Declares State of Emergency as 1,200 Hectares of Biosphere Gutted by Fires". The Jakarta Globe.
  9. ↑ "Press Release: Asia Pulp & Paper Partners with Science Community to Help Solve Clean Water Shortages in Indonesia". Reuters. January 30, 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "Indonesian Companies Mark Earth Day by Laying Ground for Rio+20 Summit". Rainforest Realities. April 23, 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  11. ↑ Hong, Carolyn (June 16, 2012). "'Indonesian'-made haze covers parts of KL, surrounding areas". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "Haze Still Unhealthy In Six Areas". Kuala Lumpur: Bernama. June 17, 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.

See also

Coordinates: 1°15′36″N 101°44′13″E / 1.26000°N 101.73694°E / 1.26000; 101.73694

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