THE COLLAPSING OF 40 YEARS OLD TREES IN LABANAN FOREST
The sound of a chainsaw blaring around the Borneo COP camp. Followed by the sound of a tree falling on the ground. One … two … and countless. Suddenly the forest school class became so bright, the big trees have collapsed.
The Borneo COP orangutan rehabilitation center located in Labanan Research Forest is the best rainforest owned by Indonesia. Being in this forest, like being in a very different place. Humidity is high enough to attract us to continue to be in it, while outside the temperature of Borneo is so stinging. “Not surprisingly, orangutans are very fond of being in a forest school class. Passing a day with them feels so quick. “, Said Johni, coordinator of animal care.
Unfortunately the threat of encroachment on Labanan Research Forest never stopped. Entering the fifth year of the Center for Orangutan Protection here, the conflict continues. “See! we have to lose trees aged 40-45 this year, we do not know who cut them, “said Daniek Hendarto, COP action manager. Three days later, when the team returned to this location, the logs were gone, the trees had disappeared. (EBO)
ROBOHNYA POHON BERUSIA 40 TAHUN DI HUTAN LABANAN
Suara gergaji mesin membahana di sekitaran camp COP Borneo. Disusul suara jatuhnya pohon mengenai tanah. Satu… dua… dan tak terhitung lagi. Tiba-tiba saja kelas sekolah hutan menjadi begitu terang, pohon-pohon besar itu roboh.
Pusat rehabilitasi orangutan COP Borneo yang berlokasi di Hutan Penelitian Labanan adalah hutan hujan terbaik yang dimiliki Indonesia. Berada di hutan ini, seperti berada di tempat yang sangat berbeda. Kelembaban yang cukup tinggi menarik kita untuk terus berada di dalamnya, sementara di luar suhu Kalimantan begitu menyengat. “Tak heran, orangutan sangat menyukai berada di kelas sekolah hutan. Seharian bersama mereka tidak akan pernah terasa.”, ujar Johni, kordinator perawat satwa.
Sayang ancaman perambahan Hutan Penelitian Labanan tak pernah berhenti. Memasuki tahun kelima Centre for Orangutan Protection di sini, konflik terus berlanjut. “Lihat! kita harus kehilangan pohon berusia 40-45 tahun ini, entah siapa yang memotongnya.”, ujar Daniek Hendarto, manajer aksi COP. Tiga hari kemudian, saat tim kembali ke lokasi ini, pohon sudah tidak ada, tebangan-tebangan pohon sudah menghilang.
