RAPP Helps to Reduce Conflict with Elephants in Riau

As the founder and chairman of RGE group, Sukanto Tanoto has a great heart, as the tycoon also does something more than merely business. Together with his wife, and now his son, Anderson Tanoto, the family works hand in hand with the government to create better systems in education, social, and economic development of Indonesia that can improve the quality of life of the people in general.

Tanoto Foundation is not only focusing on the development of humankind, but also emphasizing on the importance of taking care of the environment and its contents, including plants and animals. Besides giving back to the local community, Mr. Tanoto also understands that a sustainable life cannot be achieved without preserving the nature.

Sumatran Elephants in Riau in the Danger of Extinction

As one of the subsidiaries of Asia Pacific Resources International Limited, or APRIL, part of the RGE Group headed by Sukanto Tanoto, Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (RAPP) realizes the issue of conflict between human and animals in Riau need immediate serious intervention. It is now that the company dedicates its efforts to minimize the human-elephant conflict in Riau Province, Sumatra, by providing protection to the animal. The Sumatran elephants are now facing the danger of extinction due to the irresponsible acts of humans that kill them and take the ivory. They kill the animals because the elephants destruct their land or because the local people have irresponsible purposes.

By collaborating with different institutions and concerned stakeholders, including the World Wildlife Fund, Tesso Nilo National Park Authority (BTNTN), and Tesso Nilo National Park Foundation (YTNTN), the company builds protection for the elephants by establishing Elephant Flying Squad (EFS). The function of this organization is to give better protection by holding patrol in sensitive areas. In addition, it encourages wild elephants to get back into the forest in order to minimize conflict with the human.

 

RAPP Realizes the Need to Conserve Wild Elephants

RAPP is one of the major producers that manufacture paper for the global needs. Because the business and operation of RAPP takes places near the Tesso Nilo National Park, and other conflicting areas, RAPP feels the responsibility to take part in the conservation of nature.

Because wild elephants frequently invade the plantation and human residence areas, wide degree of disruption has resulted from the damage, so the people started to hunt them. The Sumatran elephant is protected animal, so it is important for the company to protect them, as well as to provide facilities to solve the problem. It is important to keep the elephants away from the residence areas so human will not kill them. RAPP through Tanoto Foundation continues to protect forest and develop wildlife conversation around the plantation.