Gembull Navicula meets an orangutan

Bali based band, Navicula has launched the start of their Borneo Tour (Kalimantan) as part of their orangutan conservation campaign by holding an acoustic concert in Medan, on 24 July 2012. The event titled “Road to Borneo Tour” is aimed to raise awareness about the issues surrounding deforestation, a threat to the endangered species in Sumatera, especially in the area of Tripa peatland in Aceh.

“The concert in Medan is a warm up before we tour Kalimantan this September. During preparations for our upcoming Borneo Tour, we have heard about many pressing issues affecting Sumatera, such as the conversion of the Tripa peatland forest, which is an orangutan habitat. With the support of organizations that are concerned about these environmental issues, we are able to arrive in Sumatera, and chose Medan as the city for the main event,” said Gede Robi Supriyanto, vocalist of Navicula writing from Bukit Lawang, North Sumatera, Friday (20/7).

Robi has travelled to Bukit Lawang to trek through the Gunung Leuser National Park. His trip through the rainforest is a chance for Robi to gain more experience and understanding, to better campaign for environmental issues through music. Navicula’s Road to Borneo Tour in Medan is supported by Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari (YEL), Sumateran Orangutan Conservation Programe (SOCP), PanEco, Sawit Watch, and Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (Walhi) Sumut.

The concert will be held at Rama Gardenia Cafe on July 24, and Navicula, a band active since 1996, will perform an acoustic set. The event will also include an environmental discussion focused on saving the Tripa peatland, as well as a Sumatran orangutan and tiger photo exhibition by Mata Kamera Community of Medan.

Navicula, who has consistently been advocating for environmental issues will leave for a Borneo Tour in East and Central Kalimantan this coming September. The tour is themed around the critically endangered orangutan, facing extinction as a result of deforestation and the massive expansion of palm oil plantations.

Navicula’s Borneo Tour is paid for through crowdfunding projects on Kickstarter.com and Patungan.net. On kickstarter.com, Navicula launched a project with a funding goal of US$3,000, while on Patungan.net the funding goal was Rp.5 million. Both projects have exceeded their funding goal, and the project on Kickstarter.com is still running until 29 July 2012. As compensation for supporting their project, Navicula has offered digital download of their songs, t-shirts, CDs, traditional handicrafts, private gigs, and even a ticket to join the tour in Kalimantan.

“We’re really happy our Borneo Tour crowdfunding project has succeeded in gaining the interest of people who support our mission to use music as a media for environmental campaigns. This is also an example of how independent bands can hold a tour without funding from sponsors or promoters,” added Robi.

In December 2011, Navicula released the song Orangutan as a free download under a creative commons license. Vocalist of Navicula, Gede Robi Supriyanto, wrote the song Orangutan in April 2011. The track will be included on Navicula’s 7^th album, which is still in progress. The album will also include tracks such as Harimau! Harimau! (a tale of the last Sumatran Tiger) which is dedicated for the conservation of the Sumatran Tiger, of which only 400 exist in the wild due to habitat loss.

Navicula has been performing the song Orangutan live from stage to stage, and even on a popular music program on national TV. Since this exposure, many Navicula fans have requested that the band travel to perform the song live in their cities, including requests from fans in Kalimantan. “As a band from Bali, which is far from the center of the music industry, we are proud to be able to tour Kalimantan, one of the last remaining rainforests and habitat to the critically endangered orangutan, and perform the song Orangutan live there,” says Robi.

An International Campaign

The song Orangutan has made Navicula the winners of the International band competition Planetrox. Navicula will be travelling to Quebec, Canada to perform at the Envol et Macadam Festival on the 7-8 of September. “This is one way we can raise awareness about the plight of the orangutan on an International level. Environmental problems, whether in Kalimantan, Sumatera or Antarctica are the responsibility of everyone inhabiting this planet,” says Robi.

To participate in the Planetrox Competition, Navicula submitted the music video Orangutan, which was chosen as one of the semi-finalists. The 10 semi-finalists then competed in an online voting stage, from which 5 finalists competed in a live competition held in Bandung on 7 July. The jury chose Navicula as the winners to represent Indonesia in Canada.

Besides performing in Canada, Navicula is also in the running to record in Hollywood, USA. Out of 500 videos from 43 countries, Navicula has been chosen as one of the top 10 finalists for the RØDE Rock competition. If they win the online voting stage of the competition by 31 July 2012, Navicula will be flying to Hollywood, California to record three songs at the legendary Record Plant Studios. Navicula is currently in the lead for the online voting stage.

Name one song with an environmental message. There are a lot. Even one of Indonesia’s national music magazine’s (printed on paper from trees, of course) released one story covering 100 environmental songs in commemoration of Earth Day.

But what does the planet really need now, while facing degradation and destruction? A group of so called artists singing about nature, like the sounds of people celebrating in the desert?

Musicians who wish to touch our hearts and minds need to put in more effort than creating and producing songs, then performing them on stage. Especially in the context of fighting for our environment. Especially remembering our intense social media fever, where people feel accomplished just for being hashtag activists: then keep tweeting about an issue, but that’s all they do. While environmental degradation continues to systematically destroy our environment.

Last year saving orangutans was a popular topic. The hashtag #SaveOrangutans was used often on twitter. The trigger was the shocking news from a number of palm oil plantations in Kalimantan. They were promising a certain amount of money to workers who could kill and bring in orangutans, which are considered pests to the palm oil trees. How cruel. But the reality is that palm oil is considered more important as global resource than the continued existence of this large red ape which shares 97% of the same DNA as humans.

In December of 2011, Navicula released the song Orangutan as free online download. Other musicians, such as Shaggydog have also written songs about the critically endangered Orangutan. Robi Navicula – who has a twitter account, though rarely uses it – wrote the song Orangutan in April 2011. The song was written Navicula’s 7^th album which is in negotiations to be released in the United States. Besides the song Orangutan, this album also has songs like Harimau! Harimau! which is dedicated to the conservation of the remaining 400 Sumatran tigers, which are facing extinction due to habitat loss.

Navicula has been performing the song Orangutan live from stage to stage, and even on national TV stations. Since releasing the track, many fans have asked that Navicula come and tour in their city, especially in Kalimantan. Navicula hopes to bring this song live to Kalimantan, the last tropical rainforest on earth and habitat to the critically endangered orangutan.

Navicula may be considered ‘legendary’ and accomplished, their fan base is grassroots and dedicated, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are financially successful. Planning an independent tour to Kalimantan may be more difficult for Navicula than recording a popular song. Seeking standard concert sponsor and promoters to fund a tour to Kalimantan may not be the right route for Navicula as they are not an ideal band for cigarette brands wanting to make bring in money through concert promotion.

Financial concerns have been the main factor preventing Navicula from touring Kalimantan. But there is still potential to fund the tour through Kickstarter.com, a platform for crowdfunding creative projects. Crowdfunding is a business phenomenon in the current economic recession which the United States is still recovering from and the bankruptcy of economies such as Greece. Massalution, a research firm dedicated to crowdfunding and crowdsourcing released their Crowdfunding Industry Report earlier this month. The firm collected data from over 170 (38 percent of the total) crowdfunding platforms.

Massalution discovered that throughout 2011, crowdfunding platforms have raised over 1.5 billion US dollars to fund around 1 million projects. These numbers are astounding. But before you start thinking about how much money your going to raise, you should know that not everyone can make a project that is interesting enough to get lots of people wanting to support it. All submitted projects also have to pass through a selection process, and be approved by the portal administrators. Navicula’s project, a Borneo Orangutan tour, has been approved by Kickstarter.com.

Navicula’s project will raise funds to tour East and Central Kalimantan through the target funding of 3000 US dollars, which needs to be raised within 45 days. As compensation for backers, Navicula is offering free song downloads, t-sirts, CDs, Kalimantan handicrafts, private home performances, and even an offer to join them on tour to Kalimantan.

Navicula is the first musician or band from Indonesia who has launched a project on Kickstarter. There have been a few projects on Kickstarter about Indonesian musicians, but the projects were actually by foreigners, not by the musicians themselves. For example a documentary film about one of Indonesia’s most influential punk collectives launched a Kickstarter project with a target goal of US$ 16,000 to be reached within 45 days, and successfully raised US$ 16,450. This project was a collaborative between 3 filmmakers hailing from America, China and Malaysia.

Kickstarter backers must have a US credit card. Of course, these makes it difficult for people in Indonesia to be involved in Kickstarter. Because of this, Navicula has launched a supporting project through Patungan.net, with a funding goal of 5 million rupiah.

And as if there is just not enough you can do for our red ape friends, Navicula has also chosen the song Orangutan to represent them in the International band competition Planetrox. The winning band will be invited to perform at Envol et Macadam in Quebec, Canada. Voting will continue until June 24^th, and 5 finalists will be selected to compete live in front of a jury in Bandung on July 8^th.

Navicula is the only one of the 10 finalists to submit a song in Indonesian. Other Indonesian bands may feel more confident submitting an English track to an International band competition, but Navicula feels their songs in their mother tongue are strong enough as is: Orangutan. It’s in the message, not the language.

Navicula invites you to join their acoustic show and launching of the Borneo Tour:
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Starts at 18.00
At Café Tjikini Jl Cikini Raya no 17 Jakarta Pusat
Performance by: Navicula, Adrian Adioetomo, Balian

We live in a fast paced world. Issues, problems and concerns are all easily forgotten, just as quickly as they appear. An issue becomes the center of attention only while the topic is hot.

Now, as 2011 comes to an end, social media in Indonesia is filled with stories of orangutans being slaughtered. But in a matter of weeks, it’s as if the issue was over. Orangutans are still at risk. Indonesia is still rife with deforestation, and land for palm oil plantations continues to expand without any significant resistance.

Palm oil companies actively implement greenwashing tactics to conceal the fact that they are the orangutans’ main enemy. This is the second effort to improve their image after their first tactic to convince people that palm oil plantations are part of “reforestation” efforts.

From Bali, as a participative alternative media, Akarumput.com put on the event “Orangutan – suara untuk alam II” (sounds for nature II), in partnership with Sawit Watch and Walhi Bali at Seaman’s Club Sanur, this December 17^th. The event started with a discussion “End of the Year Environmental Reflections” with Albert Nego Tarigan (executive director of Sawit Watch), Wayan Suardana known as Gendo (WALHI Bali), and Gede Robi Supriyanto (vocalist of Navicula).

Albert talked about the importance of stopping the expansion of palm oil plantations. “Palm oil plantations are competing with the livelihood of local residents and endangered species such as orangutan. In Aceh, Riau, and East Kalimantan, orangutans are slaughtered,” said Albert.

Albert also drew attention to the violence related to palm oil plantations in Mesuji, Lampung. Five people were killed during a conflict between the local community and the security personnel of a palm oil plantation. According to Albert this type of incident also occurs in other areas. “In Riau, a woman died because she was accused of allegedly occupying land owned by a large palm oil company. In Jambi, seven people were shot, and we have video footage of this,” said Albert.

After the discussion, the event moved to the stage with musical performances by the Listen, Balian, Nosstress, Geekssmile, and Navicula.

In between the performances, there was also an art auction of artwork with orangutan themes created by Balinese artists such as Made Bayak and ISI students are part of Komunitas Djamur. The funding raised was over Rp. 6,000,000, which was donated to WALHI Bali to support their environmental advocacy work.

The moment everyone had been waiting for was the release of Navicula’s latest single titled “Orangutan”. Navicula dedicated the song to encourage people to do more in orangutan conservation, to protect this endangered species. Robi wrote the song “Orangutan” in April 2011 as a track to be included on their Navicula’s new album, which will be released sometime next year. The song “Orangutan” is available for free download here.

Not only did they release a song, but Navicula also released a music video to the song “Orangutan”. Shots of the band performing live were edited together with shots from Green the Film. This documentary film by Patrick Rouxel follows the story of Green, a female orangutan who is on the verge of dying. The film needs no narration; it is a montage of both beautiful and heartbreaking footage.

Green is a victim of deforestation and exploitation of natural resources. This film is an emotional journey of a rare primate, alone in this world that is not on her side.

Photos by Vifick Bolang and Green the Film.

Song: Orangutan
Music by: Navicula
Lyrics by: Gede Roby Supriyanto

Orangutan muda, rumahnya di belantara,
Dijaga papa dan mama yang kemarin masih ada
Kini tiada…

Orangutan muda diculik perambah rimba
Dibawa paksa ke kota, jadi hiburan manusia
Terpenjara…

Orangutan (6x)
Orangutan akan jadi legenda

Orangutan gila karena manusia gila
Tak betah tinggal di kota, dia rindu habitatnya
Di rimba…

Orangutan murka mengamuk serang manusia
Manusia bawa senjata, orangutan tertawa
Terbang ke surga…

Orangutan (6x)
Orangutan akan jadi legenda

Orangutan (6x)
Orangutan akan jadi legenda

_______________

“Orangutan Lyrics” English translation:

A young orangutan, his home in the wilds,
Was cared for by papa and mama only yesterday
But now they are gone.

A young Orangutan was kidnapped by an encroacher in the jungle
Forcibly brought to the city to become human entertainment
Imprisoned…

Orangutan (6x)
The orangutan will become a legend

The Orangutan is crazy because man is crazy
Not at home in the city, he misses its habitat
In the jungle…

The furious Orangutan wreaks havoc, attacking humans
The humans carry weapons, the Orangutan laughs
Flies to heaven…

Orangutan (6x)
The Orangutan will become a legend

Orangutan (6x)
The Orangutan will become a legend

The artists behind Bali-based grunge/psychedelic rock outfit Navicula are no novices when it comes to environmental activism. In their 15-year history the group has penned a number of songs addressing specific environmental concerns, in Indonesia and worldwide. Navicula’s sixth studio album Salto was largely dedicated to environmental awareness. Songs like “Over Konsumsi” (Over-consumption) implicate consumerism for current global environmental crises. “Kill the Fireflies” deplores the decline of these luminescent insects in Bali as a result of the use of pesticides in rice fields. “Pantai Mimpi” was written in response to the privatization and destruction of Bali’s beaches and was the anthem for Navicula’s campaign to boycott the infamous Pecatu Resort and Dreamland in Bukit. Finally, their 2010 single “Metropolutan,” is a response to the pollution crisis in Jakarta.

As they entered the studio earlier this year to begin work on their seventh album, scheduled for release in 2012, the “Green Grunge Gentlemen” turned their attention to Indonesian wildlife. Indonesia is famous for its biodiversity; it is home to more than 12% of the planet’s plant and animal species. But habitat loss and poaching are pervasive and increasingly catastrophic realities that have led to the extinction of a number of Indonesia’s majestic animals, including both the Java and Bali Tiger. Experts predict species like the Javan rhinoceros, Sumatran tiger, and Sumatran orangutan will soon follow.

Throughout Navicula’s anticipated album runs a decidedly animalistic thread: Recording just wrapped for their song “Harimau! Harimau!” (Tiger), and now Navicula prepares to launch the single “Orangutan.” The song tells the story of a young orangutan which, following the slaughter of his parents, is kidnapped and brought to the city. The orangutan, maddened by his new environment and longing for his jungle home, turns the tables on his human captors, wreaking havoc in the city.

Navicula vocalist Gede Roby Supriyanto explains why the band chose the orangutan as the focus for its latest single: “Orangutans are one of the many animals that are threatened due to the transfer of the functions of forests in Indonesia. Orangutans will become a legend.”

As of 2008, there were less than 6,600 Sumatran orangutans remaining, down from 7,300 in 2004. According to the Sumatran Orangutan Society, “The decline of the orangutan in Borneo and Sumatra in recent years symbolizes the devastation of one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots—the lowland rainforests of Southeast Asia.”

In other words, the declining orangutan population corresponds to the loss of their habitat, a result of logging and the conversion of rainforests to palm oil plantations. In the last decade more than 9% of Kalimantan and Sumatra’s forest cover was lost.

Erik Meijaard, an ecologist who has worked in Indonesia since 1993, warns that hunting, which has largely gone unchecked by both conservationists and the government, is also a major cause for the endangerment of Indonesian animal species. Additionally, orangutan populations are threatened by the illegal pet trade and conflicts between humans and orangutans, two problems Navicula addresses in the lyrics for “Orangutan.”

Navicula joins other artists who are using the stage and media channels to advocate for orangutan conservation. In 2010 Shaggydog and Superman Is Dead performed together for a benefit concert in Yogyakarta, Konser Amal Peduli Orangutan (Charity Concert for the Care of Orangutans). Seringai frontman Arian13 has actively advocated for orangutan conservation, most frequently through his Twitter account with nearly 19,000 followers.

Upon hearing “Orangutan” for the first time this week, Arian13 responded in email correspondence, “Not many local bands are actually voicing concerns for the environment, but Navicula is a band that is active with environmental issues. This includs orangutans, which are endangered or extinction if we do not prevent it. The song also voices anger against the conditions for the orangutan, now increasingly sad: murdered by man, a case of genocide.”

Roby hopes the song will help raise awareness for the current plight of one of Indonesia’s unique species, as well as encourage the government to take action: “Our hope is for improvements in policy, power, and government control over the palm oil industry, because right now the palm oil industry has a “law” itself outside the law of the state of Indonesia. We also need tighter control to support the preservation of the environment and local economy, so that they become healthier for more local communities, the forest, and so that they are more sustainable.”

Navicula will launch “Orangutan” during the second installment of Suara Untuk Alam (Voice for the Environment), an initiative of Walhi Bali (the Bali division of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment). Suara Untuk Alam II, scheduled for 17 December at Bali Seamans’ Club in Sanur, will feature an art auction, woodcutting workshop, and performances by bands Nosstress, Geekssmile, and Navicula. Proceeds will benefit Walhi and Akarumput’s Sumatran Forest Initiative, a campaign to combat deforestation and orangutan slaughter.

For one week following Suara Untuk Alam II, “Orangutan” can be downloaded for free exclusively on Akarumput.com.

Recently, the Indonesian press has released shocking coverage of orangutans (pongo pygmaeus), which were hunted down in Puan Cepak village, Muara Ancalong Region, Kutai Kartanegara. The orangutans in the area were allegedly damaging palm trees, causing the palm oil harvest to fail, so villagers caught and tortured the orangutans.

Akarumput.com, WALHI Bali, and musicians such as Gede Robi (Navicula) and Made Bayak (Geekssmile) feel it is important to bring attention to these issues through a creative event in Bali. This initiative received a positive reaction from Edi Sutrisno of Sawit Watch, who offered to support it. This event will also be partnering with other organizations who share these concerns, especially those with a focus on orangutan survival.

Following an initial discussion, these groups agreed to collaborate in the event “Suara untuk Alam II” (Sounds for Nature II). Suara untuk Alam is an initiative started by WALHI Bali, the first in this series of events was held at Twice Bar, Kuta on August 19th, 2011. During the first event, hardcore band Geekssmile also launched a single titled Yeah Yeah Yeah Indonesia. Suara untuk Alam II will be held on December 17, 2011 at Seamen’s Center, Sanur.

The following is a short preview of the event agenda: 

Orangutan artwork auction: During the Bali Creative Festival at Grand Bali Beach in Sanur this 25-27 November, many artists created artwork with an orangutan theme. These works of art are paintings on chipboard, illustrations on paper, and woodcut prints. During the event, many people asked if the artwork was for sale. This gave way to the idea to auction the artwork for a bigger purpose. So these artists could contribute to an environmental charity, as well as raising awareness about orangutan issues through their art. The funds raised through this auction will be donated to an environmental organization based in Bali (WALHI Bali) and an organization focused on the survival of orangutans.

Launching Navicula’s new single “Orangutan”: Navicula is dedicated their latest track “Orangutan” to environmental conservation efforts in Indonesia. This new single will also make up a track of their upcoming album, due to be completed early next year. Besides the track Orangutan, Navicula has also recorded two other songs Harimau Harimau (which means Tiger in Indonesian) dedicated to the Sumatran tiger and Refuse to Forget a track for the campaign in rememberance of the human rights activist Munir who was murdered in 2004 and the case has still not been brought to justice.

Too many environmental conservation efforts are a joke. But there is nothing funny about what they’re getting away with under the guise of being ‘green’.

On September 28^th the Indonesia Green Awards were announced. The list of winners in the business category included PT Freeport Indonesia, Danone Aqua, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Public Ltd), BSD Green Office Park, HSBC Indonesia, PT Antam Public Ltd), PT Semen Gresik (Public Ltd), PT Jasa Marga (Public Ltd), Surabaya Plaza Hotel, PT PP (Public Ltd), PT BNI (Public Ltd), PT SMART Tbk (West Kalimantan), PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper, PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk, PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk, PT Telekomunikasi Selular, PT Bukit Asam (Public Ltd), Sinarmas Forestry, PT Wiraswasta Gemilang Indonesia, PT Bakrieland Development Tbk, Djarum Trees for Life, and Total EP Indonesia.

Individuals who were honored included Joko Widodo (the mayor of Solo), Valerina Daniel (author of the book Easy Green Living), Hugua (regional head of Wakatobi), Nugie (bicycle enthusiast), Tony Sumampau (founder of Taman Safari Indonesia), M. Ridwan Kamil (who founded the initiative Jakarta Berkebun, Gardening Jakarta), Syahrul Effendi (mayor of Jakarta Selatan), Idal Amal and Amal Alghozali (founders of Akademi Berkebun, the Gardening Academy), Awang Foroek Ishak (governor of East Kalimantan), Cathy Lengkong (head of Ikatan Pemulung Indonesia, Indonesian Association of Trash Collectors), Zaby Febrina (Komodo conservation supporter), and Erbe Sentanu (head of Greenheart Indonesia).

It is surprising that companies exploiting natural resources, like Freeport and Aqua Danone, can be included in the Green Award nominations. But even more surprising is how mainstream media, such as Kompas, Jakarta Post, Republika and detik.com , reported about these awards without any acknowledgment of their irony. Not once did they raise critical questions about how the winners of these awards were selected or how the public may be deceived.

But there is deception involved, because the award is actually given based on a company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). What is evaluated is a company’s CSR programs focused on the environment, not the company’s environmental conservation principles or sustainable operational standards.

Companies implementing environmental conservation principles don’t deserve an award; it is their obligation to conserve the environment. In fact, this obligation is already laid out clearly under the Indonesian National Law No. 40 of 2007, article 74, concerning Limited Companies.

According to the contents of the legislation: (Paragraph 1): The Company having its business activities in the field of and/or related to natural resources, shall be obliged to perform its Social and Environmental Responsibility. (Paragraph 2): Social and Environmental Responsibility as referred to in Paragraph 1 shall constitute the obligation of the Company which is budgeted and calculated as the cost of the Company, implementation of which shall be performed with due observance to appropriateness and fairness. (Paragraph 3): The Company that fails to perform its obligations as referred to in Paragraph 1 shall be imposed with sanctions in accordance with the provision of regulation.

CSR obligations are also outlined in the Indonesian Law No. 25 of 2007 concerning Investments. According to Article 15, Point B:  Every investor shall have an obligation to implement Corporate Social Responsibility. Article 16, Point D elaborates: Each investor shall be responsible for preserving the environment.

The objectivity of the award organizers needs to be questioned. On the home page of the Indonesia Green Awards (IGA) website (indonesiagreenawards.com) are included logos of the award’s partners and sponsors. The logo of the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry is positioned next to the logos of Danone Aqua, Bakrieland, Smart Agribusiness and Food, Riaupulp, and Sinarmas. One has to wonder, then, based on this kind of marketing, if the award isn’t more of a ‘you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours’ arrangement. In other words, a company gives money to the award organizers, and in return it receive accolades.

The organizers of the award are La Tofi School of CSR and Business & CSR Magazine. Both groups are under the umbrella company of La Tofi. In its second year, the IGA website claims: “…We are also considering large companies, many of which have made a positive example for the public by showing concern for the environment. Palm oil companies, for example, now implement “palm oil forestry” on deforested land that has been damaged and needs rehabilitation. Mining companies who have done a good job of rehabilitating left over mining land are also an example, and these companies should be appreciated.”

It is a travesty that the awards point to palm oil and mining companies for green practices. And the Indonesia Green Awards (IGA) organization’s term “palm oil forestry” is completey misleading. About 80 percent of palm oil plantations are converted from natural forests. The problem of palm oil plantations needs to be addressed in detail in order to appreciate the unjustifiable choice of such companies for the honor of IGA awards.

WALHI has documented that the government gives permits for over 15.9 million hectares of forest to be used as palm oil plantations. However, only 5.4 million hectares have been planted. The remaining forestland is harvested for timber and then left barren by the companies. Getting a permit for plantations is one way to be able to log timber. Even worse, in some areas, opening forests for palm oil plantations is caused by manmade forest fires. Palm trees require a certain level of soil acidity, which can be improved by burning the land.

One palm oil tree requires 6-8 liters of water per day. In North Sumatera, not one water irrigation path can last in a palm oil plantation. The roots of fully grown palm oil trees are very strong and take up to 80 years to naturally break down due to microorganisms. The only way to speed up the process is to physically destroy the roots. If they are not destroyed, the next planting of palm oil must be done in a new location and the first location is left barren, where only archaic plants like ferns can survive.

An entire ecosystem is devastated, because when no plants can grow, the forest loses much of its functionality as hunting grounds a source of medicinal plants, rattan, and clean air. Jungle species such as locusts, wild boars, and monkeys are forced to find food elsewhere, including on people’s farms.

Recently, the Indonesian press has released shocking coverage of orangutans (pongo pygmaeus), which were hunted down in Puan Cepak village, Muara Ancalong Region, Kutai Kartanegara. The orangutans in the area were allegedly damaging palm trees, causing the palm oil harvest to fail. So villagers caught and tortured the orangutans. As if this brutality was not enough, some villagers even decapitated the orangutans.

This ruthless massacre took place in an area of concession of a Malaysian palm oil company, which was actively expanding its land use. This palm oil plantation area is positioned next to a protected section of forest (establiashed as a KBK – Kawasan Budidaya Kehutanan, Region of Forestry Cultivation) and orangutan habitat. The orangutans’ habitat, which is being quickly destroyed, were forced to scatter out of their protected area, and in doing so damaged some of the trees growing on the plantation.

The company held an open contest in which “anyone, either company employees or village resident, who capture an orangutan dead or alive would receive a cash prize of anywhere from Rp. 500,000 to Rp. 2,000,000. The prize was decided based on the size of the animal caught.”

How merciless.

Besides destroying the habitat of these animals, the arrival of palm oil plantations has also created an economic dependence of local communities towards the palm oil plantation investors. After losing their source of income from agriculture, following the destruction of their water irrigation systems, local residents are forced to become low-paid fieldhands for the palm oil industry. Once farming land has been turned into palm oil plantations, local communities can no longer produce their own food. So, where, exactly, is the social responsibility of these companies receiving Indonesia Green Awards?

Photos by Daniel Kleeman and David Gilbert (Rainforest Action Network).