WWF Indonesia Highlights Imporance Of Preserving Kubu Lanscape

PONTIANAK, W Kalimantan, April 27 (Antara) - The Kubu landscape in West Kalimantan is one of the important areas that serve as a habitat for protected animals, according to Species Officer of Kubu Landscape of the WWF Indonesia Program Dewi Puspitasari. "Sea mammals, proboscis monkeys, and storm storks are types of protected animals that make the Kubu landscape their home," Puspitasari informed Antara here on Wednesday. According to the data collection conducted by WWF Indonesia since 2011 of the biodiversity, more than 112 types of birds have been identified to live in the Kubu landscape that has mostly rivers and coastline. The landscape is also home to other mammals, herpet, and various types of fish. Kubu has a mangrove forest that naturally creates a unique living space, particularly for animals that need special spaces, including those that can only adapt to the swamp forest. However, land using and land clearing activities in this landscape pose a threat to their existence and survival. Puspitasari has cautioned that such activities should be carried out wisely by not ignoring the local wisdom of maintaining the mangrove ecosystem as a breeding ground for marine biota and a bulwark against abrasion. "If mangrove trees are not protected by following the concept of sustainability, it will certainly lead to other activities, such as careless logging that definitely causes abrasion," she pointed out. Animal hunting, which affects the food chain, will cause overpopulation of other species. The derivative impact of such an activity is a threat to the local agriculture. Simultaneously, the expansion of agricultural land must also prioritize the principle of environment-friendly land use, for instance, by not burning land and not using pesticides that causes the destruction of certain species of flora and fauna. Jejak Pesisir Nusantara (JPN), a non-profit organization that is committed to eco-friendly management of coastal natural resources, often provides community assistance in the Kubu landscape. "We always invite people keen on increasing their income by developing an alternative economy instead of conducting unsustainable activities," Yuan, head of JPN, said. Among the mentoring activities that have been carried out so far are honey bee cultivation that can produce two types of honey: Kelulut and Bakau. In addition, training programs are held to offer guidance on the use of environment-friendly fishing gear, production of processed fishery products, assistance for preparing regulations for marine protected areas in seven villages, nursery, as well as mangrove planting with people and school children in a bid to maintain the mangrove area and prevent abrasion. Mangrove areas in the Kubu landscape serve as a stopover for migratory birds from northern Asia and Siberia during their journey to Australia and New Zealand, as well as during their return from the south to the north. Such a phenomenon occurs once every year during the period between August and April. This fact strengthens the role of the Kubu landscape not only as a habitat for the local animals but also as a life support for the migrating birds.