Save Last Remaining Natural Rainforest In Sumatra from Barito Pacific Group

TO:

Prajogo Pangestu
President Commissioner, Barito Pacific

Loeki S. Putera
President Director, Barito Pacific

Agus Salim Pangestu
Vice President Director

Henky Susanto
Director

Salwati Agustina
Director

Simon Simansjah
Director

And Major Shareholders:
Magna Resources Corp.
Whistler Petrochemical Corp.
PT Barito Pacific Lumber
PT Tunggai Setia Pratama


RE: SAVING THE BUKIT TIGAPULUH ECOSYSTEM AND PREVENTION OF BREAKING OF INDONESIAN LAW

We, the undersigned, understand that you intend to convert SK.141/Menhut-Il/2010, the largest remaining block of High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) in the Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem, Jambi Sumatra to pulpwood plantation.

The Lestari Asri Jaya Concession is the most important habitat of an Endangered Sumatran elephant population in the Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem.

The Lestari Asri Jaya Concession is the most important habitat of an Endangered Sumatran elephant population in the Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem. As many as 140 elephants or 5% of the remaining Sumatran elephant population are exclusively living in the Lestari Asri Jaya concession. The conversion of natural forest in the Lestari Asri Jaya concession would immediately lead to local extinction of elephants in Bukit Tigapuluh.

This forest has exceptionally high biodiversity and is critical habitat for globally significant populations of Endangered Sumatran tigers and Sumatran elephants, and the only reintroduction site in world for the Critically Endangered Sumatran orangutan population. Moreover it is home to the indigenous Orang Rimba tribe.

The conversion of elephant, tiger and orangutan habitat would contradict the following regulations:

1. Conservation Strategy and Action Plan of Sumatran Elephant and Kalimantan Elephant 2007 – 2017
2. Conservation Strategy and Action Plan of Orangutan 2007 – 2017
3. Conservation Strategy and Action Plan of Sumatran Tiger 2007 – 2017

We respectfully urge Barito Pacific and its major shareholders not to undertake any land clearing activities in the Lestari Asri Jayan concession and allow the concession to be placed under permanent protection for the sake of the critically endangered Sumatran elephant, tiger and orangutan populations.

NB the Dalek Esa Concession (Block I on Map) to the South was successfully given a reprieve when a public campaign in 2009 quashed Asian Pulp and Paper’s plans to convert it into pulpwood plantation.