Will Build The IKN Authority, Kalawasan Island In Penajam To Be The Center For The Utan People's Nature Reserve

Illustration. Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) at the pre-release location on Kaja Island, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan. (Between-Bayu P S)

The Capital Archipelago Authority (IKN) will develop an asylum center, one of which is to protect orangutans. The asylum center will be located on Kalawasan Island, North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan Province (Kaltim).

Head of the IKN Authority Bambang Susantono said the development of the orangutan asylum center aims to provide shelter for endangered animals, especially adult males.

orangutans are one of Indonesia's endemic species that needs to be protected and preserved. Although the IKN area is not a natural habitat of orangutans, we are very committed to supporting protection for orangutans," he said in a statement, Wednesday, February 15, was confiscated by Antara.

The orangutan asylum center provides facilities and management that meet the principles of animal welfare, especially for orangutans that have been determined cannot be released into their natural habitat for certain reasons.

Bambang said that the development of the orangutan asylum center made the capital city of the archipelago a center of government that pays great attention to the environment.

Bambang added that the development of the IKN Authority is collaborating with the Arsari Foundation. He said that his party realized IKN Forest City as a model for urban development that focuses on carbon neutrality, biodiversity, and sustainable development goals or SDGs.

"We are very open to collaborating with environmental observer institutions both internationally and nationally to jointly protect the environment in the IKN area and its surroundings," said Bambang.

The concept of a forest city or forest city developed in the capital city of the archipelago is Indonesia's step to mitigate climate change.

As much as 65 percent of the capital city of the archipelago will become tropical forests through re-correstation, by 10 percent into park areas and food production, and 25 percent for urban areas.

Executive Director of the Arsari Catrini Foundation Pratihari Kubon body said that cooperation with the IKN Authority in the development of an orangutan asylum center on Kalawasan Island will be very beneficial for the existence of orangutans, which is Indonesia's biological wealth.

"Of course, this will also strengthen IKN's commitment as a forest city," said Catrini.

The orangutan asylum center is approximately 10 kilometers from the Nusantara Zero Point. The place is expected to help reduce the burden in the form of costs and physical risks of the presence of wide-piped adult male orangutans in various orangutan rehabilitation or reintroduction centers.

Not only that, the presence of orangutans on the island that is used as their habitat is expected to be more guaranteed for their quality of life. The islands around it are expected to have a more ecosystem maintained, so that it becomes a breeding ground for marine animals that can later be utilized by local residents.