Menjaga Pesona Primata Purba Belitung

Summary

Budi Setiawan, an environmentalist from Belitung, Indonesia, is leading efforts to conserve the island's unique wildlife, particularly the endangered Belitung tarsius. Despite the region’s history of destructive tin mining, Budi is transforming Belitung into an eco-tourism hub, offering sustainable alternatives for local communities. His research uncovered that the tarsius is a rare primate species that survived since the age of dinosaurs. Through conservation initiatives, Budi is working to protect the island's ecosystems while empowering locals to embrace sustainable livelihoods and shift away from mining, creating a model for eco-friendly development.

Takeaways

• 😀 The island of Belitung, located off the eastern coast of Sumatra, is known for its stunning natural beauty, including white sandy beaches and diverse ecosystems.
• 🌿 Belitung is home to the endangered Tarsius, a small primate that has adapted to the island's environment and is considered a living fossil from the dinosaur era.
• 🔬 Research by local environmentalist Budi Setiawan in 2006 revealed that the Belitung Tarsius is distinct from those in Sulawesi and has unique behaviors and physical characteristics.
• 🌍 Tarsius Belitung was officially recognized as a separate species in 2008, named Cephalopacus bancanus, contributing to scientific knowledge about primate evolution.
• 💡 Tarsius Belitung, unlike its Sulawesi relatives, lives a solitary life and has adapted to its environment with unique physical traits like its ability to rotate its head 360 degrees.
• 🔊 Tarsius communicate using ultrasonic waves and can leap up to 4 meters, making them well-suited for their nocturnal hunting of small insects and reptiles.
• 🦧 The habitat of Tarsius in Belitung is under threat due to habitat destruction caused by illegal tin mining, deforestation, and the spread of oil palm plantations.
• 💀 A local myth that Tarsius is a 'ghost monkey' and a bad omen has led to hunting and a significant decline in their population, with only around 1,000 Tarsius left on the island.
• 🌱 In response to the environmental crisis, Budi Setiawan has been working to protect Tarsius and their habitat by promoting eco-tourism and sustainable land use practices in Belitung.
• 🏞️ Budi's efforts have led to the creation of Batu Mentas Nature Tourism Park and Tarsius Sanctuary, where locals are educated on conservation while also benefiting from eco-tourism revenue.

Q & A

What is the significance of the tarsius in Belitung?

The tarsius is an endangered primate species in Belitung, unique for its large eyes and ability to rotate its head 360 degrees. It is considered a living fossil, surviving from the time of the dinosaurs, and has recently gained international recognition due to its distinct characteristics and evolutionary adaptation on the island.

Why is the tarsius considered a 'living fossil'?

The tarsius in Belitung is considered a 'living fossil' because it is a remnant of an ancient primate lineage that has survived since the time of the dinosaurs, with evolutionary adaptations that differ from other tarsius populations in Sulawesi and the Philippines.

What are the main threats to the tarsius population in Belitung?

The primary threats to the tarsius population are habitat destruction due to illegal tin mining, deforestation for palm oil plantations, and local myths that lead to hunting and the killing of the tarsius. Additionally, the loss of natural habitats and changes in land use contribute to the species' decline.

What role does Budi Setiawan play in the conservation of the tarsius?

Budi Setiawan is a key figure in the conservation of the tarsius. He has conducted extensive research on the species, advocating for its protection and promoting awareness about its endangered status. He also spearheads eco-tourism initiatives aimed at providing sustainable alternatives to mining, which threaten both the environment and the tarsius' habitat.

How did Budi Setiawan help to bring global attention to the tarsius?

Budi Setiawan presented his research on the Belitung tarsius at a global forum in 2008, which helped raise awareness about the species. His findings, including the distinct subspecies of the tarsius in Belitung, led to international recognition and contributed to its formal classification as a unique species.

What is the relationship between Belitung’s local economy and mining?

Belitung’s local economy has historically depended on tin mining, with the island located within the Southeast Asian tin belt. Mining activities, especially illegal tin mining, have caused significant environmental degradation, affecting both local wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem. The shift towards eco-tourism is being promoted as a more sustainable economic model.

What impact has illegal tin mining had on Belitung’s environment?

Illegal tin mining has caused severe environmental damage, including river pollution, deforestation, and the destruction of ecosystems. The mining process involves extracting water from rivers and pumping it underground, causing sedimentation, habitat loss, and contamination, which ultimately harms biodiversity and contributes to the decline of species like the tarsius.

How is eco-tourism helping to protect the tarsius and Belitung’s environment?

Eco-tourism is helping protect the tarsius by providing an alternative source of income for local communities that no longer rely on destructive mining practices. Through initiatives like Batu Mentas Nature Park and sustainable tourism projects, Budi Setiawan is educating visitors about the importance of conservation, while promoting local involvement in preserving the island’s biodiversity.

What challenges does Budi Setiawan face in promoting eco-tourism in Belitung?

Budi faces several challenges in promoting eco-tourism, including resistance from local communities that are accustomed to the income generated by mining, and opposition from powerful investors and illegal miners who seek to exploit the island’s natural resources. Additionally, the lack of clear governmental support and enforcement of environmental regulations makes it difficult to implement sustainable practices.

What is the 'Fight for Dignity' movement, and how does it relate to eco-tourism in Belitung?

The 'Fight for Dignity' movement is an initiative led by Budi Setiawan to empower local communities to take control of their natural heritage and participate actively in eco-tourism. The movement advocates for local ownership of tourism ventures, ensuring that the benefits of eco-tourism stay within the community rather than being monopolized by external investors.