A. Training Cohort IV Final Module

The final module, on the topic of ‘Communication, Documentation, and Publication’, was hosted in the OIC’s Community Digital Opportunity Centre (CDOC) in Bukit Lawang, from 11 – 18 February 2011. This module is intended to teach guides how best to document and promote their work, to provide a better visitor experience and enhance their business and livelihoods. As evidenced by this quarter’s visitor questionnaire survey (see Appendix) 27% of visitors rely on internet blogs for information about tourism activities in Bukit Lawang, and 23% rely on word of mouth, so it is important that guides are able to promote their work effectively.

Throughout the week-long course, participants created and developed their own web logs and in some cases new websites 1 to promote their forest treks and local ventures, all highlighting the forest guidelines, which will assist in increasing the number of responsible tours in the forest. Those guides needing assistance in computer literacy were given special attention. The guides who have completed our training course can now professionally market their services to a larger audience, with the power of the internet allowing for past customers to comment on and share their experiences with potential future customers. Examples of new websites created by guides:

• www.jungletribesumatra.com
• www.bukitlawangexplore.com
• www.orangutanexpedition.com

B. Translocation of orangutans

After a number of meetings and discussions regarding the ex-captive orangutans in Bukit Lawang with the various stakeholders (GLNP authority, HPI Guide Association, local businesses focused on  orangutan tourism, SOCP, and the OIC), finally it was decided by the national park authority on 28 January 2011 to translocate Mina and Rada Ria to an area without any marked human presence. We did not expect Rada Ria to be included in the intended translocation, as although he is indeed quite habituated to human presence, he has not been involved in any attacks on visitors. However, due to his  lack of fear of humans and propensity to come into contact with them, and with the GLNP rangers claiming that he is starting to show signs of aggression towards them, it is best that he too be moved to a site that does not host any tourism ventures. On 17 February 2011 veterinary staff from the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program (SOCP) arrived to capture Mina and Rada Ria and bring them to  their quarantine and care centre in Batu Mbelin, North Sumatra, for the required initial health checks and quarantine process, before being moved to a new site. Rada Ria was quickly captured and placed in a transport cage and taken to the quarantine centre without the need of any sedatives, with a GLNP ranger able to easily handle him for the process.

Read full report by downloading the OIC Gunung Leuser Ecotourism Development Programme – Quarterly Report I  ( January – March 2011 ) in PDF Version.

DESMA Center, berkolaborasi dengan UNESCO Office, Jakarta memproduksi Peta Wisata Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser sebagai bagian dari program kerja “Saving the Natural Heritage of Gunung Leuser National Park, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra” yang dilakukan oleh Environmental Sciences Unit, UNESCO Office, Jakarta. Peta wisata tersebut diproduksi sebagai media promosi Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser sebagai destinasti wisata. Tidak hanya memiliki fungsi navigatif, tetapi peta tersebut juga memberikan informasi praktis terkait pariwisata dan aktivitas wisata yang bisa dilakukan di taman nasional tersebut. Download here

This program focused on providing visitors as education through various books were made by OIC as well as guides training to develop their capacity to a better service later.

The Program was carried out on 2009-2010 and has the main objectives as to increase Bukit Lawang and Tangkahan community capacity .

The Expected Outcomes

To increase a capacity of Bukit Lawang and Tangkahan Guides by training and providing a conservational education to take an active role conserving and preserving of GLNP.

To get the existence of education materials to local and overseas visitors by giving conservation messages to decrease a threat of GLNP and its species.

Bukit Lawang and Tangkahan Guide Training

Bukit Lawang and Tangkahan Guide Training

The training carried out twice in Bukit Lawang and once in Tangkahan then had outlined into 4 trainings : ecotourism, environmental education, Search and Rescue (SAR), Publication and Documentation. The training was delivered by power point and practice. Games as well as ice breaking on break time. Each participant has to fill the pre test to know how far their knowledge before. And filling the post test at the end.

The training has enlarged knowledge of conservation for guides then We can see over the pre and the post tests. And the shedule of training as follows :

Number of Participants :

Perception of Bukit Lawang Visitors

This is surveyed to know how is the changes in Bukit Lawang and visitor perception of GLNP and its Guide. It started at the first few months 2009 and then was evaluated in the last month. Target of this survey is the visitor. 387 people have been interviewed and we can see the following result at the next enclosure.

Sign Board Assembling and an Appeal Sign Post

Sign Board Assembling and an Appeal Sign Post

To give information and guideliness for visitors which are telling about orangutan and its rules. These are lied at the front of National Park Office and the assembling of sign board and sign post subsequently started on November 2008 up to December 2009.

3 Sign Boards are assembled at the gate of GLNP and at front of GLNP resort office. For an Appeal Sign Post lied at the border of Bahorok river close to information corner.

The expected outcomes are to decrease any negatives of environmental activities , such as feeding orangutan which is damaging its habitat and so on.

Guide Line`s movie to Gunung Leuser National Park

This movie was conducted to share an information about GLNP and its specific species Sumatran orangutan as endangered species as well as its habitat in 15 minutes. Under coordination with Source of Indonesia ( SoI ) the movie was done on November 2008.

Guide Line`s movie to Gunung Leuser National Park

Information Corner

Information Corner Bukit Lawang

Info corner lies close to gate towards feeding site. This building reactivated and expected as the information centre of orangutan and GLNP. After being renovated, the info corner became as the theatre of movie and checking site for visitors before going to feeding site. The movie displays twice a day at morning and afternoon before feeding time. The Info Corner provides education materials as poster about GLNP and orangutan. And the info corner also carried out training of monitoring area as well as orangutan treatment. This action under coordination between Gunung Luser National Park Office with YOSL- OIC.

This guidebook is intended to be used by anyone entering the Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP). Whether a licensed guide or a first-time visitor, you will find a wealth of useful information to enhance your experience in the park, making it more informative, safe and rewarding. If you are a licensed guide, this book will provide you with further information on GLNP conservation issues, the fauna and flora you show and explain to visitors, and the guidelines you and your guests need to adhere to when in the park and viewing orangutans. If you are a visitor, by reading this guidebook you will get the most out of visiting this amazing rainforest ecosystem.

This publication begins with a broad introduction to the Gunung Leuser National Park, the fauna and flora, and the current threats to this fragile ecosystem (Chapter 1). Chapter 2 takes a look at the ecology and conservation status of the Critically Endangered Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii), and discusses the important ecological role this species plays. The concept of ecotourism is examined in Chapter 3: its potential benefits for the environment and local peoples, and the problems that can arise from its mismanagement. One of the most prominent risks of humans in close proximity to endangered primates in the GLNP is disease transmission and in Chapter 4 these issues are described in detail.

The park’s fauna and flora can be very sensitive to human presence and disturbance. It is therefore essential to know how best to reduce your impact on the ecosystem around you, so it can be enjoyed by future generations of not just people, but also wildlife. Visitors to the GLNP have the opportunity to observe not only the orangutan in its natural habitat, but a myriad of other wonderful biodiversity. The species guide in Chapter 5 will help you to identify and know more about some of the flora and fauna you will have the chance to see. Finally, by following the simple set of guidelines laid out in Chapter 6 you can have a more natural, enjoyable and safer visit, without detracting from the wildlife viewing experience. A glossary of conservation relevant terms is included thereafter, with defined words throughout the text marked in green.

Overall, this guidebook will act as a valuable tool and souvenir, either if you are working in or visiting the GLNP, or if you are simply interested in finding out more information about conservation issues and the Gunung Leuser National Park.

You can download this guidebook from our Publications Page