Japanese Researchers Support Bekantan Conservation On Curiak Island

JAKARTA - Bekantan (Nasalis larvatus), the endemic primate of Kalimantan, which is now threatened with extinction, has become the center of attention in various conservation efforts, one of which is on Curiak Island, South Kalimantan.

The natural habitat of bekantan, which is increasingly being pressed by land conversion, makes conservation an important step in order to maintain the survival of this long-hatled primate.

On Curiak Island, efforts to restore the wetland ecosystem and conservation of defenders have attracted the attention of researchers from various countries, including Japan.

One of the research teams from the University of Utsunomiya, Japan, led by Associate Professor Futoshi Ishiguri, along with two colleagues, Ikumi Nezu and Hikari Yokoyama, made a scientific visit to the Bekantan Research Station on Curiak Island, Barito Kuala Regency.

Their goal is to study the ecosystem-based conservation approach that has been applied there.

Dr. Amalia Rezeki, founder of the Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia Foundation (SBI), said that Japanese researchers were very impressed by the condition of research facilities and the sustainability of wet land on Curiak Island. "They are interested in exploring how the conservation approach here is directly applied to maintain their seeds and habitats," he said in Banjarmasin, as quoted by ANTARA.

During the visit, Futoshi Ishiguri had the opportunity to witness firsthand the life of the persistent herd in his natural habitat. Primata is an icon of the fauna of South Kalimantan that lives in coastal areas and mangrove forests.

Amalia Rezeki, who is also a lecturer at the University of Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) Biology Education Study Program, hopes that the cooperation between ULM and Utsunomiya University can develop further, especially in the field of wetland research and climate change impact mitigation.

Prof. Sunardi, Head of the ULM Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM), which also welcomed the Japanese delegation, emphasized the importance of the role of the Bekantan Research Station as a center for environmental development and conservation.

"Curiak Island is an important area in an effort to maintain increasingly rare flora and fauna. It is our common responsibility to protect it," he said.

Sunardi added that ULM and University of Utsunomiya will seek cooperation in cross-border research to develop a more effective conservation approach.

Futoshi Ishiguri admitted that he was impressed with the wetland restoration program initiated by Amalia and her team. He expressed his admiration for their success in planting various types of trees and creating natural habitats that are attractive to wildlife.

"I see how humans can be an important part of maintaining an ecological balance here," he said.