Proposed Resolution to be adopted at the 6th General Assembly of the
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil 4th November 2009

A moratorium on land clearance in the Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem



Submitted by: Sumatran Orangutan Society



Background Information


The Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem is one of the most important conservation
areas in Sumatra. The Bukit Tigapuluh National Park (BTNP) is located within
this ecosystem and is surrounded by a buffer zone of forests containing many
high conservation values. The BTNP contains over 1,500 species of flora, 59
species of mammals, 193 species of birds, and 97 species of fish. The great
majority of these species are found throughout the wider ecosystem area, and
indeed many are found in greater densities outside the boundary of the
national park than within the protected area.



The Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem is also the site of the only successful
Sumatran orangutan reintroduction programme and constitutes the largest
orangutan habitat outside the Leuser Ecosystem in northern Sumatra. Over 100
orangutans have been reintroduced to the Bukit Tigapuluh forests, and the
great majority of these individuals use the forest outside the national park
as their core habitat area, as shown in Figure 1. The forests of the Bukit
Tigapuluh Ecosystem could support a population of over 500 orangutans, and
could therefore provide a refuge for a viable population of this critically
endangered species.



The Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem is also an important habitat for other
critically endangered species, including the Sumatran elephant and the
Sumatran tiger. Three indigenous tribes are known to live in the Bukit
Tigapuluh National Park and surrounding area: the Talang Mamak, Melayu Tua
and Kubu/Orang Rimba, who all rely on the forest area for their livelihoods
and traditional way of life.



The forest landscape includes approximately 450,000 ha of healthy and
contiguous natural forest, only 29% of which is protected within the Bukit
Tigapuluh National Park. Over 300,000 ha of land beyond the national park
boundary is classified as ex-HPH concessions, around 180,000 ha of which is
still forested. These areas contain high biodiversity values, confirmed
during extensive surveys by multiple stakeholders.



Resolution



In view of the significance and the high conservation value of this area, it
is necessary to ensure the integrity of the entire ecosystem in order to
support viable populations of key species. The maintenance of High
Conservation Values is a cornerstone of the RSPO standard for
sustainability. We therefore call on the 6th General Assembly of the
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, on 4th November 2009, to resolve that:

1) The forest landscape identified in Figure 1 be officially recognised
as the Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem, and therefore as an area containing high
conservation values.

2) 2) Any RSPO member involved in land to be contravening the principle
of maintaining high conservation values. Evidence that any clearance in the
Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem will be found member is involved in such
activities will result in that member being expelled from the RSPO.



Contact for further information and detailed maps: Helen Buckland, UK
Director, Sumatran Orangutan Society: Helen@...



Figure 1. Wildlife Distribution in the Bukit Tigapuluh National Park and
Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem, and locations of new proposed concessions







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Norman Jiwan

Head of Division

Social and Environmental Risk Mitigation Initiatives



Sawit Watch, Association

Jl. Sempur Kaler No. 28

Bogor 16129
Phone: +62-251-8352171

Email: norman@...

Homepage: www.sawitwatch.or.id

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