New Head of UPT LLG CIMTROP meets with BNF

The new head of UPT LLG CIMTROP, Dr. Darmae Nasir paid a visit to BNF’s board of directors at the Natural Laboratory of Peat-swamp Forest (LAHG) Camp, a special zone within the Sebangau National Park on the 11th of June. During the visit, there was also a discussion about the continuation of the longstanding cooperation with BNF.

“This visit is in the context of establishing friendship and familiarity with various parties, especially with friends who work in the LAHG, a special zone within the Sebangau National Park forest, the Patrol Team as well as a team from BNF management. This is also to strengthen cooperation, as a follow-up to the MoU between the University of Palangka Raya (UPR) Rector and BNF,” he stressed.

Darmae Nasir said in this meeting they also made several additional points in the draft of the technical cooperation agreement. UPT LLG CIMTROP continues to work together and develop potential things that exist and resolve some of the problems that have emerged so far.

“These things will become a reference and guide between CIMTROP and BNF so that all problems get a good solution. For example the issue of research permits and visits related to foreign citizens (foreigners). Whatever we do must be in accordance with applicable laws and need cooperation from both parties, so that in the future it will not cause problems.

Dr. Darmae Nasir, the new head of UPT LLG CIMTROP introduce his-self to all the field staffs
Photo by Yohanes Prahara | BNF | UPT LLG CIMTROPAccording to Darmae Nasir, CIMTROP is following up on the programs that have been running so far and specifically talking about the results of research that has been carried out so it can be documented and stored and can be taken into consideration to go further in developing existing collaborations.

“The data that we have collected should be a database that is managed by both parties, as a basis for consideration in deciding to develop in a better direction going forward. I think that the most important thing is that in the future whatever we produce is documented to enrich knowledge about peat swamp forests, especially tropical peatlands with their various biodiversity, socioeconomic and social humanities.

The Information Management and Cooperation Unit of the UPT LLG CIMTROP, Kitso Kusin added a new idea that had been discussed with Mr. Darmae Nasir about the obstacles faced during the dry season. The biggest threat faced is forest fires, and the idea is to find ways to prevent fires from entering and spreading to LAHG CIMTROP locations when forest fires occur.

Dr. Darmae Nasir with UPT LLG CIMTROP staff and BNF management team
Photo by Yohanes Prahara | BNF | UPT LLG CIMTROP“The biggest threat to conservation areas is forest fires, so we are currently trying to finalize the idea of Fire Break by developing sago planting and making Beje around the LAHG CIMTROP area so that it can prevent fires from entering the area,” he said.

Kitso added, fire always comes from the riverbank, therefore, to prevent fires from entering the forest area, a fire break must be made as a productive fire barrier. Beje can also be of economic value to the community because it can accommodate fish during the dry season.

Darmae Nasir hopes that the collaboration between the UPT LLG CIMTROP and BNF becomes very successful for UPR in order to improve its accreditation. “Hopefully, through this collaboration, more and more staff from UPR will increase capacity for both staff and scientific publications. Collaboration with foreign researchers will also provide an opportunity to go international,” he concluded.

Group photos with all the field team. Photo by Yohanes Prahara | BNF | UPT LLG CIMTROP
Written by BNF’s Content Creator, Yohanes Prahara