Post conflict conservation awareness programs in Northern Aceh

Despite protection of some the most extensive forest areas, the World Bank has reported that without further conservation the Sumatran lowlands will be gone by 2005 (World Bank, 2001). Aceh is struggling with political unbalance and economic distress due to ongoing conflict. New district establishment and decentralisation of administration has made forest exploitation highly ambiguous. Even-though, there is no formal logging operation in Aceh, but in the uncontrolled condition many new comers, including local people have significantly increased the rate of illegal logging and forestland encroachment. What is currently lacking is empowering local society to directly involve in protecting the remaining forest. Due to unique historical and cultural associations the elephant is an ideal flagship and indicator species for the conservation of forests in Northern Aceh. The project team will work to promote conservation and to reduce further forest clearance at the village, sub-district, district and provincial levels. This project clearly links to the Indonesian Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IBSAP) 2003 – 2020, produced by the National Development Planning Agency-2003, under Objective 1: to develop the quality of Indonesian individuals and society who concern with the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Within the extension of 6 months project period, most activities since beginning of the project related to the objectives of the project have been delivered according to the work-plan and duration period of the grant contract. For conservation awareness program we conducted a series education and awareness campaign to local community, religious/women groups and school children in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar. A series meeting and media campaign through radio talk show and media coverage have been carried out for wide range audience; while poster, leaflet and newsletter were distributed to specific targeted audience. Over 20 villages were involved in the awareness activities (in Aceh Besar : Jalin, Suka Tani, Data Cut, Gampong Aweek, Gampong Bueng, Gampong Jantho, Gampong Weu, Jantho Baru, Jantho Makmur, Barueh, Teureubeh, Cucum, Buket Meusara, Saree, Montasik, Indrapuri, Kuta Malaka, Seulimeum, Lampanah; and in Kota Banda Aceh, in 5 sub-districts or kecamatan; Syiah Kuala, Ulee Kareng, Kuta Alam, Baiturrahman, Meuraksa). The awareness conservation project was integrated into post tsunami rehabilitation and reconstruction program, especially in promoting forest protection and animal habitat management. During the extension period, we also have worked with 2 volunteers from the Netherlands focussing on elephant survey and forest monitoring program. The field monitoring team (involving the local community) was established They are still doing regular forest monitoring independently, spending 6 days every 6 weeks until now. In general, the most successful impacts of the project within the initiave support from IUCN Netherlands, YaGaSu can develop effective operations in Aceh, establishing a permanent staff and secretariat, and managing multi-project operations now, including environmental restoration and a community development project.