Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - South Kalimantan Governor H Sahbirin Noor wants bekantan (proboscis monkey) to be a worldwide animal widely known by the international community.
When opening the 2018 Bekantan Day in the Rectorate Hall of Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), Tuesday morning, he stated, if the panda from China can be famous as now, then bekantan also must be.
"Now we all play role to introduce bekantan to the outside world to the same class with the famous panda," said the governor who is familiarly called Uncle Birin.
Sahbirin, who received Bekantan Award at the event, admitted if during this time the South Kalimantan Provincial Government has been maximally in support of all efforts related to conservation and rescue habitat of bekantan.
Meanwhile, the Rector ULM Prof. Dr. Sutarto Hadi appreciates the sincere work of volunteers and activities of environmentalists who are members of Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia who have worked hard to preserve the South Kalimantan mascot.
"Thanks to the hard work of Sahabat Bekantan, the population is slowly increasing and avoiding the threat of extinction, hopefully, our children and grandchildren can see the original habitat of the bekantan and not only through its statue in Martapura River embankment," he said.
Sutarto also thanked the Governor H Sahbirin's commitment to environmental conservation through the Green Revolution which has been initiated and successfully boosted the spirit of preserving the environment, including fully supporting the conservation of proboscis habitat.
"Thanks to the support of the governor, the population of bekantan has increased by 50 percent since 2013, there are 800 bekantan in conservation areas spread over 11 locations in South Kalimantan, while outside conservation is estimated at around 3,000 now," said Amelia R, chairwoman of Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia.
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Kalimantan Selatan 2018
When opening the 2018 Bekantan Day in the Rectorate Hall of Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), Tuesday morning, he stated, if the panda from China can be famous as now, then bekantan also must be.
"Now we all play role to introduce bekantan to the outside world to the same class with the famous panda," said the governor who is familiarly called Uncle Birin.
Sahbirin, who received Bekantan Award at the event, admitted if during this time the South Kalimantan Provincial Government has been maximally in support of all efforts related to conservation and rescue habitat of bekantan.
Meanwhile, the Rector ULM Prof. Dr. Sutarto Hadi appreciates the sincere work of volunteers and activities of environmentalists who are members of Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia who have worked hard to preserve the South Kalimantan mascot.
"Thanks to the hard work of Sahabat Bekantan, the population is slowly increasing and avoiding the threat of extinction, hopefully, our children and grandchildren can see the original habitat of the bekantan and not only through its statue in Martapura River embankment," he said.
Sutarto also thanked the Governor H Sahbirin's commitment to environmental conservation through the Green Revolution which has been initiated and successfully boosted the spirit of preserving the environment, including fully supporting the conservation of proboscis habitat.
"Thanks to the support of the governor, the population of bekantan has increased by 50 percent since 2013, there are 800 bekantan in conservation areas spread over 11 locations in South Kalimantan, while outside conservation is estimated at around 3,000 now," said Amelia R, chairwoman of Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia.
Editor : Mahdani
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Kalimantan Selatan 2018