Fish for Life
If water is the lifeblood of Borneo, its rivers are the veins and arteries. In Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, there are several major rivers, including the Barito River, Kapuas River, and the Kahayan River. Besides nourishing the region’s forests, these rivers also function as an important food source for local communities. Fish make up a […]
Getting to Know Local Food
As well as supporting much of Earth’s biodiversity, forest ecosystems are an important source of human livelihood. For this reason, Borneo’s tropical rainforests are regarded as a hereditary treasure by the indigenous Dayak population, many of whom still rely on the forest for food and medicines. Bukit Sua Village in Palangka Raya City, Indonesian Borneo, […]
Guard The Forest “Pharmacy”
“For Sirun Herman Manan (72), the forest is a paradise for medicinal plants. There, he seeks out medicinal plants to concoct herbal remedies, which can help with everything from toothaches to fevers, and even heart attacks. It doesn’t stop there; he also spreads the “virus” protecting the forest.” – Dionisius Reynaldo Triwibowo Sirun is from […]
BNF 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
As we emerge from the pandemic, our programmes are slowly getting back on track. We have struck up new partnerships to save Borneo’s threatened rainforests, and our environmental education initiatives are being rolled out on a grand scale. Strengthening forest management is key for both biodiversity conservation and sustainable use by local communities. At BNF, […]
A Close Encounter with Gara
As the year draws to a close, the rainy season begins in Indonesia. For several months, the pounding rain becomes a near-constant backing track, and the air hangs heavy with moisture. Despite the extreme weather, our Orangutan Team—consisting of “The Twins”, Aziz K and Azis OU—are in high spirits. BNF’s orangutan follows were suspended for […]
The Future of Sustainability
INTRODUCING THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS TO PERMACULTURE AND ECOTOURISM This piece of land is beautiful, covered by lush plants. Some time ago, several young people from Tahawa Village and Parahangan Village set foot in Tangkiling, a permacultural hotbed and ecotourist destination. These young visitors foresaw the promise of ecotourism in their own villages; as, too, did […]
World Gibbon Day 2021
SAVING THE ENDANGERED GIBBONS October 24 marks World Gibbon Day 2021, an international celebration of these smaller – but by no means less important – apes. _______ The Jungle Book’s King Louie might be the self-proclaimed ‘King of the Swingers’, but gibbons are the real rulers of the canopy. These lanky primates have elongated hands […]
Mulai Mencintai Pertanian, Menjaga Hutan Tetap Kekal
“Begitu kekayaan dan keindahan alam hilang, menyesal tak ada artinya. Menjaga adalah langkah yang paling utama untuk kelangsungan hidup anak cucu kelak.” “LESTARI alamku, lestari desaku, di mana Tuhanku menitipkan aku.” Penggalan lirik dari lagu berjudul Berita Cuaca karya Gombloh itu menggambarkan asa yang ingin diwujudkan oleh warga Desa Parahangan. Desa yang berada di Kabupaten […]
Borneo is burning again and again, but why?
For over a month, forest and land fires have been burning in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. These fires have been an annual occurrence during Borneo’s dry season for over 20 years. Many of you may ask “Why are these fires burning every year?” The tropical peatlands of southern Borneo form one of the largest expanses […]