TEMON & LAHEI BREAKS THE JUNGLE RULES
Do you remember the story of Temon and Lahei, the duo who once disappeared from Forest School?
In Central Kalimantan lies Mawas, a vast expanse of peat swamp forest, home to one of the largest remaining populations of wild orangutans in the world. These unique ecosystems not only support incredible biodiversity but also play an essential role in climate regulation and environmental sustainability.
Peat swamp forests are a type of wetland habitat that occurs mostly in tropical locations. Layers of organic material, primarily dead and decaying plant matter, collect in waterlogged circumstances, generating peat. These peat layers can be several meters thick and store massive amounts of carbon that have been deposited over thousands of years.
Read also: MAWAS PEATLAND REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Peat swamp forests are unlike any other ecosystem. Their high water table, acidic and nutrient-poor soils, and dense, tangled vegetation create a challenging yet uniquely rich environment. The forest floor is typically spongy, with deep peat layers that act like a massive natural sponge, absorbing and storing water.
Indonesia contains the largest tropical peatland area in the world, with over 13.4 million hectares. Much of this lies in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua. These making the country one of the most critical stewards of global peatland conservation.
Peat swamp forests are found throughout Southeast Asia, with Indonesia accounting for nearly half of the global tropical peatlands. In Central Kalimantan, the Mawas area or ex-mega rice project spans over of peat swamp forest. This region holds an estimated 2,500–3,000 wild orangutans. One of the highest population densities in any single forest area in Borneo. The complex structure of the forest allows orangutans to live with minimal human disturbance and makes this area the last stronghold for the wild population.
Read also: MAWAS: A TALE OF FOREST RESTORATION
Peatlands store an estimated 57 gigatonnes of carbon in Southeast Asia alone. Their preservation is crucial in the fight against climate change, as drained or burned peatlands release significant amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere.
Indonesia’s peatlands are estimated to release up to 1.1 Gt CO₂ annually when degraded. Additionally, peat swamp forests regulate water flows, mitigate flooding, and filter groundwater, making them critical for both environmental health and human livelihoods.
Unfortunately, peat swamp forests are one of the most threatened ecosystems. The main causes include land conversion for plantations. Furthermore, issues such as illegal logging and habitat fragmentation often lead to disasters such as forest and land fires.
Read also: TABATS RESTORING HOPE FOR PEATLAND RECOVERY
Between 2000 and 2020, Indonesia lost over 2.6 million hectares of peatland forest, much of it in Kalimantan. The consequences are far-reaching: increased greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and irreversible damage to critical orangutan habitat. In Mawas itself, conservation efforts that have been carried out include rewetting or canals blocking to keep the water conditions in the area wet. These efforts are also accompanied by area patrols involving local communities in community development programs. These activities not only degrade peat soils but also fragment orangutan habitat, increasing conflict with humans and reducing reproductive success.
Peat swamp forests, with their depth of carbon, richness of biodiversity, and resilience against environmental stress, are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth. As home to the critically endangered Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), these forests offer hope for the species' future, if protected.
Protecting peatlands like those in Mawas means safeguarding both wildlife and the climate, preserving natural heritage, and empowering local communities. Let us not wait until these forests vanish beneath our feet before we recognize their worth.
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Do you remember the story of Temon and Lahei, the duo who once disappeared from Forest School?
When people think of bears, the image that usually comes to mind is that of large and powerful creatures such as grizzlies or polar bears. Yet in Southeast Asia lives the smallest bear in the world is a the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus).
Since Kopral was moved to Socialization Enclosure in last year, his movements have become noticeably more active.
