Samboja, 27 February 2024 – PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) and the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of East Kalimantan, inaugurated the completion of four artificial islands in the Orangutan Conservation Area in Samboja, East Kalimantan, Tuesday (27/2). The restoration of the four artificial islands in the conservation area is part of BCA’s commitment to support the government’s efforts in conserving orangutans in Indonesia.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Head of IKN Region Conservation Resort Surya Darmawan from the BKSDA of East Kalimantan, BOSF CEO Jamartin Sihite, BCA EVP of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility Hera F. Haryn, BOSF Samboja Lestari Area Manager Aldrianto Priadjati, BCA SVP of Corporate Communication Susanti Nurmalawati, and BOSF Head of Corporate Communication Paulina Laurensia Ela.
BCA’s EVP of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility Hera F. Haryn said, “It is an honor for BCA to participate in the restoration of four orangutan conservation islands in Samboja, East Kalimantan. We are pleased to be able to continue our contribution in supporting the government in its efforts to conserve Indonesia’s orangutan population. We recognize the availability of proper artificial islands is an important part of the rehabilitation process and to protect orangutans. The restoration of these four islands is one of the ways to safeguard the orangutan population in Indonesia, especially in Kalimantan.”
Before the restoration, only a small area of the four artificial islands could be used to rehabilitate and protect orangutans. This was due to various physical damages and extreme shallowing in the canals surrounding the artificial islands. These conditions made the four islands uninhabitable for orangutans.
In response to these conditions, BCA through its Bakti Lingkungan program, was moved to participate in the repair of the four artificial islands, which consist of two pre-release islands and two shelter islands or sanctuaries. The two pre-release islands that BCA is aiding in the restoration of have an area of 4.8 and 3.8 hectares respectively. Both islands can accommodate a total of 6-7 adult orangutans. The two sanctuary islands that were also restored have an area of 0.42 and 0.48 hectares respectively and can accommodate up to 3-4 orangutans.
For background, the pre-release artificial islands are designed in such a way that the conditions are similar to the natural habitat of orangutans. These islands are utilized for orangutans that could potentially be released into the wild. On this island, the orangutans will be observed and given additional food by BOSF staff and technicians before finally being returned to their natural habitat.
Furthermore, the shelter island or sanctuary is a place to protect orangutans that cannot be returned to the wild due to various factors. On this island, the orangutans will be observed and given additional meals by BOSF staff and technicians.
Since 2012, BCA and BOSF have supported the government, in this case, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), in conducting orangutan conservation activities and returning 49 orangutans to the wild. Simultaneously, BCA and BOSF also supported the rehabilitation of 46 orangutans, long-term care of nature reserves, and sustainable community development. A total of 9,000 tree seedlings have been planted in an area of 22.5 hectares to support the orangutan and sun bear rehabilitation area in Samboja Lestari, East Kalimantan.
Education and socialization on the importance of orangutan conservation is also actively carried out from school to school through the Orangutan Goes to School (OGTS) program. This is done in the hopes that more students will understand the crucial role of orangutans in the environment. Up until now, the OGTS program has reached 4,284 students from 42 schools in Kalimantan. BCA has also contributed to providing supporting needs for offices in conservation areas, starting from provisions of 8,000 masks and 30 pairs of boots.
“The survival of orangutans is an important matter that must be considered because orangutans are umbrella species that play a role in maintaining biodiversity in their habitat. Preserving the existence of orangutans means caring for the entire ecosystem in which they live. BCA strives to maintain its support for the orangutan conservation efforts. We hope that various collaborations and conservation actions carried out diligently and consistently can spark the enthusiasm of various parties so that orangutans are increasingly protected in the future,” said Hera.
Picture Information 1:
Restoring Four Artificial Islands in Conservation Area, BCA’s Show Their Commitment to Save Orangutan Species – BCA EVP of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility Hera F. Haryn (center) with Head of the IKN Region Conservation Resort of the East Kalimantan BKSDA Surya Darmawan (right) and Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) CEO Jamrtin Sihite inaugurated four artificial islands that have been restored, at the Orangutan Conservation Area in Samboja, East Kalimantan on Tuesday (27/2). BCA’s presence in restoring the four artificial islands in the conservation area is a manifestation of BCA’s commitment to support the government’s efforts to conserve orangutans in Indonesia.
Picture Information 2:
Artificial Island Restoration, an Important Step in Orangutan Conservation Efforts – BCA has restored four artificial islands in the orangutan conservation area in Samboja, East Kalimantan, consisting of two pre-release islands and the two sanctuary islands. The artificial islands are designed to be similar to the orangutans’ natural habitat to prepare them for their return to live in their natural habitat. This artificial island restoration effort was implemented as a clear step to support the survival of orangutans as a key species in the tropical forest ecosystem.
Picture Information 3:
Proof of BCA's Consistency in Preserving Orangutan Species: Island Restoration to Release – BCA EVP of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility Hera F. Haryn (back) and BCA SVP of Corporate Communication Susanti Nurmalawati (front) releasing one of the orangutans on an artificial island located around the Orangutan Conservation Area in Samboja, East Kalimantan, Tuesday (27/2). In addition to making restorations to four artificial islands in the Orangutan Conservation Area in Samboja, East Kalimantan, BCA has consistently provided support for the conservation of this endemic fauna. Since 2012, BCA has returned 49 orangutans to the wild, rehabilitated 46 orangutans, and planted 9,000 tree seedlings in an area of 22.5 hectares to support the orangutan and sun bear rehabilitation area in Samboja Lestari, East Kalimantan.
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About PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (as of 31 December 2023)
BCA is one of the leading commercial banks in Indonesia with the core business of transaction banking. BCA also offers a full range of financial services in consumer, SME, commercial and corporate segments. As of December 2023, BCA has the privilege of serving more than 38 million customer accounts, processing around 82 million of daily transactions through a network of 1,258 branches; 19,047 ATMs as well as the 24-hour internet & mobile banking systems supported by 24/7 Halo BCA contact center. BCA’s presence is complemented by a number of subsidiaries focusing on vehicle financing, sharia banking, securities, general and life insurance, digital bank, remittance as well as venture capital business. BCA is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, putting people first, and making a positive impact on society at large. With around 27,000 employees, BCA's vision is to be the bank of choice and a major pillar of the Indonesia economy.
PT BANK CENTRAL ASIA TBK
Group Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility - CSR
Corporate Communication
Address : Jl. MH Thamrin No. 1
Menara BCA Lt. 22
Jakarta Pusat 10310
Telephone : (021) 2358-8000
Fax : (021) 2358-8339
E-mail : corcom_bca@bca.co.id
