Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine December 2017 | Page 156

154
Explore | Wildlife
THE HIDDEN
FOREST ON
THE KAMPAR
PENINSULA
Words by Zulkifli
“Many people don’t know that
in this area there’s still a lush
and tranquil natural forest,”
says Bradford Sanders, the
Operational Head for Riau
Ecosystem Restoration (RER)
as he points to a green area on
a map. RER is a collaborative
restoration project on the
Kampar Peninsula and
Padang Island, Riau Province.
The Kampar Peninsula is home to one of
the largest peat swamp forests in Sumatra.
This forest is, however, also one of the most
threatened, having suffered degradation due
to persistent logging and burning. In 2013,
RER was granted permission to safeguard
and rehabilitate the ecologically important
peat forest in this area. Its main task:
to effectively manage the forests, water,
wildlife and air.
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Brad believes that the task of protecting
the forest will never be over. “Later,” he says
with hope, “my child will continue the work
I started.” Looking at the map, I am full of
questions, and keen to go and explore this
area for myself.