Nusantara. The Nusantara Capital Authority and the Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation plan to develop a cluster of islands in the Balikpapan Bay area into a sanctuary for orangutans in Penajam Paser Utara Regency, East Kalimantan, where Indonesia’s future capital, Nusantara, is being built.

The Arsari Foundation is owned by Hashim Djojohadikusumo, the younger brother of President Prabowo Subianto.

The decision to expand the sanctuary was made following a meeting between the Nusantara Authority, the Arsari Foundation, and the East Kalimantan Conservation and Natural Resources Department to discuss revitalization efforts and the planning of annual programs.

A New Sanctuary Island for Orangutans
Berkat Fangatulo Gulo, the Environmental Director at the Arsari Foundation, explained that the Balikpapan Bay area currently has many island clusters. These islands are planned to be developed into an orangutan sanctuary.

"In the future, the Nusantara Authority will decide which island will become the new sanctuary, as it requires biodiversity surveys and feasibility studies," he said.

This sanctuary will provide a safe habitat for orangutans that cannot be released back into the wild and will also serve as a refuge for other protected wildlife in the Nusantara area.

Previously, the Arsari Foundation created an orangutan sanctuary on Kelawasan Island, covering 254 hectares. This island is part of the Arsari Orangutan Protection Area and currently houses five orangutans.

Plans are in place to further develop Kelawasan Island. The Nusantara Authority and the Arsari Foundation will begin with infrastructure development. Parallel to that, a feasibility study will be conducted on nearby islands for future sanctuary developments.

“Because more orangutans need protection, we plan to add more sanctuaries. These islands are part of the clusters in Balikpapan Bay,” said Berkat on Wednesday.

In addition to Kelawasan Island, the foundation also manages the Tanjung Buaya Conservation Facility, which is rich in vegetation and home to 28 different tree species, including mangosteen and guava trees.

"Tanjung Buaya, like Kelawasan Island, functions as a refuge for adult orangutans that cannot be released back into the wild. Before transferring orangutans to this facility, we ensure that all required conditions meet the established standards," he added.

Conservation and Community Engagement
During the annual planning meeting, the Arsari Foundation and the Nusantara Authority discussed strategies to strengthen institutional capacity, conservation efforts for orangutans and other wildlife, and community involvement in providing food for orangutans around the sanctuary.

According to Berkat, this orangutan sanctuary has become an education and rescue center, with plans to further develop it into a center for education, research, and ecotourism.

Pungky Widiaryanto, Director of Forestry Utilization and Water Resource Development at the Nusantara Authority, said that conservation efforts in Nusantara are ongoing. In addition to monitoring and supervision, authorities remain focused on developing biodiversity in the area.

“Conservation is not only about orangutans but about all biodiversity. If protected animals are found trapped in the development area, they will be relocated. For example, even though the toll road project is outside Nusantara, animal translocation will still be recommended,” he explained.

New Orangutans Arriving for Care
Ari Wibawanto, Head of the Conservation and Natural Resources Department, confirmed that two adult orangutans, Dodo and Nungki, will be moved to the Arsari Orangutan Protection Area between February and March.

“The administrative process and transportation arrangements are currently underway. These two orangutans come from Sukabumi, West Java, and West Kalimantan,” said Ari.

Currently, the sanctuary houses three adult orangutans -- Boni, Beni, and Bento-- along with six species of parrots.

“These orangutans have spent years in captivity and cannot be released back into the wild. Once Dodo and Nungki arrive, they will join the other orangutans at the sanctuary,” added Ari.

Efforts are also underway to optimize the use of Kelawasan Island and explore the potential use of Tanjung Buaya as an additional habitat for orangutans.

“Studies are being conducted not only on orangutans but also on public awareness programs about wildlife conservation. There is also the possibility that other species of wildlife may be placed in the sanctuary,” he said.

The Arsari Orangutan Protection Area was established in 2016 by the Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation in collaboration with the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency.

Founded by Hashim Djojohadikusumo, the sanctuary was created in response to the increasing need for a refuge for elderly orangutans that have spent years in captivity due to illegal human care.

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