What are the economic benefits to the Indonesian government of helping protect this forest?
In the long term, we expect the government and local community will make money through eco-tourism activities, and through our plans to build a tropical forest research station in the area which will attract participation from around Southeast Asia and the world. There is also the possibility of government and local communities sharing the benefits of carbon credits that may be generated because this piece of forest is saved from clearance. We expect to aid more livelihoods projects in the immediate areas surrounding Harapan Rainforest allowing local people to have more options for using forest resources sustainably whilst deriving a good income from them (such as harvesting rubber, honey and lucrative forest fruits). The Harapan Rainforest initiative will also provide alternative income for local communities; this supports the government’s desire to promote sustainable development and wipe out poverty.
