Greenpeace photos show the company is still destroying orangutan habitat

Nov 23, 2013 20:16 GMT  ·  By
Photo shows palm oil company continues to destroy orangutan habitat despite promising not to do so
   Photo shows palm oil company continues to destroy orangutan habitat despite promising not to do so

Earlier this week, Greenpeace released a series of photos showing large patches of land in Borneo that had been cleared of trees and that were about to be turned into palm oil plantations.

The organization maintains that, according to evidence at hand, the deforested areas, which sit close to Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan, used to be orangutan habitat.

More precisely, they housed intact peatland forests and were part and parcel of so-called buffer zones that have a high conservation value and that ensure contact between local orangutan populations.

Seeing how this species is currently listed as an endangered one, it is no surprise that the conservationists were appalled to find that somebody had been ill-inspired enough to destroy their home.

Further investigations revealed that the company responsible for the clearing of these forested areas in Borneo was Bumitama Agri Ltd., and that the deforestation occurred between February – October 2013.

The interesting part is that, not very long ago, this company pledged not to destroy any forests or patches of land inhabited by orangutans. Apparently, making promises is easier than sticking to them.

“For more than 6 months, global NGOs have been pushing for this company to stop its destructive practices, but on the ground the clearing continued and the orang-utans inside their concessions suffered,” said Bustar Maitar with Greenpeace International, as cited by Mongabay.

“Greenpeace wants urgent confirmation from Bumitama that all land clearing has stopped, and that Bumitama is committing to full forest and peatland protection in all its concessions. Until Bumitama commits to a No-Deforestation policy, the orangutans and forests in their concession remain at risk,” the environmentalist added.

In light of these findings, the organization urges that Wilmar International, the world's largest palm oil trader, stop buying palm oil from Bumitama Agri Ltd. and cut all ties with the company until the latter commits to protecting orangutan habitat.