EFFORTS TO CONSERVE ENDEMIC PLANTS (LOCAL PLANTS), PROTECTED RARE ANIMALS IN THE BIODIVERSITY PARK AREA (KEHATI) OF PT. TANJUNGENIM LESTARI PULP AND PAPER

PT Tanjungenim Lestari Pulp and Paper (PT.TeL) has committed to the environment through the KEHATI (Biodiversity Park) Team, preserving plants by planting endemic plant seedlings (local plants) in the Conservation area — KEHATI PT.TeL.

Endemic plant planting activities – local plants typical of Banuayu Village – Muara Enim – South Sumatera which are cultivated independently through a nursery program (Nursery PT.TeL) such as the types of Asam Kandis, Rukam, Keliat, Mampat, Rimbungan were carried out on Wednesday, April 28, 2025 at the Biodiversity Park (KEHATI) PT.TeL location, planting activities are carried out in stages (continuously and sustainably).

The KEHATI Park which is located within the PT.TeL Company Location has many types of trees. And of the many trees, there are dozens of types of local and endemic trees that grow in this area.

Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management mandates the need for efforts to maintain Biodiversity as capital for sustainable national development, one strategy that can be done is continue to preserve and plant as many trees as possible including endemic plant species.

Some of the benefits and advantages that can be felt by the local community from the tree planting program in the PT. TeL Conservation Area:

• Improving air quality, preventing soil erosion, maintaining climate stability.
• Providing protection for wildlife.
• Creating a shady and refreshing place and many other benefits.

Conservation of endemic plants is an effort to maintain the sustainability and balance of the ecosystem. Currently, many types of endemic plants are threatened with extinction due to various factors such as climate change, habitat destruction, and human exploitation. Therefore, it is important to carry out plant conservation to maintain Biodiversity and protect endangered species.

2. Conservation of the Fauna ‘GRAY LUTUNG KELABU (Trachypithecus Cristatus)

In addition to plant conservation activities, the KEHATI PT.el team is also active in maintaining and conservation fauna (rare animals and protected by IUCN status) in the KEHATI PT.Tel conservation area there are 7 to 8 types of Gray Langurs/lutung.

Gray Lutung Langur or scientifically known as Trachypithecus cristatus is one of the rare and protected animal species that is a characteristic of PT. TeL’s Biodiversity Park (KEHATI) and is part of the protection and natural wealth of the world (the world heritage) and is the pride of us all.

This type of Gray Lutung Langur is medium-sized, with a length of about 60cm. Gray Lutung Langur has black body hair with white or gray tips.

Its face is black without a white circle around its eyes and the hair on its head is tapered with a peak in the middle. Like other types of Lutung Langurs, this Langur has a long tail, measuring about 75 cm. The Gyay Lutung Langur (Trachypithecus cristatus) is one of the primates that has an ecological role in influencing forest regeneration patterns, forest succession by eating leaves and spreading plant seeds.

Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and natural Resources (in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) the Gray Lutung Langur is listed as near threatened or almost endangered.  This is due to logging, clearing new, poaching, and forest fires. It is feared that the Gray Lutung Langur will become extinct if its habitat is not protected and preserved systematically optimally.

3. Conservation of other types of Fauna species

From the results of the Survey, inventory and identification of Fauna in the conservation or protection area of the KEHATI PT.TeL Park, 41 types of butterflies were recorded with a diversity index value (H’) and one type is protected by the Law of the Republic of Indonesia, namely the Malayan Monarch butterfly species/ kupu kupu Raja melayu (Troides amphrysus).

11 types of herpetofauna were recorded with a diversity index value (H’) and one type is included in CITES appendix Il, namely the Varanus salvator monitor lizard; seven types of mammals with a diversity index value (H’), five types of fish in small rivers in the KEHATI PT.TeL area.

As well as bird species with diversity index values (H’), two protected species are the Elang-alap nipon/ Japanese Hawk eagle Accipiter gularis and Paok Pitta sp), one species is included in CITES appendix Il, namely the Elang-alap nipon/ Japanese Hawk-eagle and Serak Jawa / Javan hawk eagle Tyto alba); and one species is globally endangered with vulnerable status, namely the Cucak Kuning / Yellow-rumped Shama (Rubigula dispar).

Conservation activities carried out by the KEHATI PT.TeL team are not only aimed at maintaining Biodiversity, but also have a positive impact on the ecosystem, improving the quality of life of living things in the surrounding environment and supporting long-term and sustainable development goals (SDG’s), namely: Preventing land degradation and erosion (SDG’s 15) critical areas, increasing green closed areas in conservation areas, reducing carbon emissions to support efforts to overcome climate change (SDG’s 13).

Hopefully the implementation of the conservation program that has been and continues to be carried out can be a legacy for children and grandchildren and for future “said the KEHATI PT.Tel Coordinator).