Bekantan population doubled in S Kalimantan's Bakut Island

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The South Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) together with PT Adaro Indonesia have succeeded in increasing the population of the bekantan endemic animals in the Nature Tourism Park (TWA) of Bakut Island, South Kalimantan.

Head of Adaro CSR Division Okty Damayanti said that now the population of bekantans (proboscis monkeys) has doubled from only 67 to 132 in just five years.

"One of our commitment is to preserve population of bekantan, which is almost extinct, and to make Bakut Island TWA a center for proboscis monkeys conservation education for the public," she noted in a statement in Jakarta, Friday.

Together with BKSDA, Okty said, her sides keeps on developing infrastructure and facilities on the island to support the area as one of limited tourist destinations.

The Bakut Island Nature Tourism Park, which covers 15.58 hectares, was originally only used as a dumping ground for residents to throw rubbish from the top of the Barito Bridge.

Today, the area has changed and become an ecosystem for a population of bekantan together with their flora and other fauna.

BKSDA and Adaro are committed to presenting a proboscis monkey conservation center to provide benefits for the people.

Related news: BKSDA collaborates PT Adaro develop Bakut Island for bekantan

Head of South Kalimantan BKSDA Mahrus Aryadi, who was contacted separately, said the Bakut Island TWA has been officially managed by empowering local people, since 2018. During the five years of management, the number of bekantan populations almost doubled.

The involvement of local residents, he said, aim to provide benefit economically the people around the island.

"Now we are focusing on increasing the number of trees to feed the bekantan. So, we don't need to feed them directly so as not to disturb the wild life or bekantan,” he said.

Adaro through its social and environment responsibility program has built animal clinics and other facilities alng with habituation cages and provided equipment in the form of materials and goods to support the conservation of bekantan on the Bakut Island.

The company also built an ironwood road with a length of 630 meters, a pier, and joglo or hut, which is used as a meeting place at the location of the natural tourist park, including building a floating pier and a resort office hall.

Head of South Kalimantan Tourism Office Muhammad Syarifuddin said that the development of Bakut Island TWA has increased tourist visits.

In fact, the economic income of the surrounding community, especially who directly involved in TWA management, has also increased.

Read also: W20 delegation admires Bakut Island attraction