SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject)

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN BUKIT LAWANG THROUGH ECOTOURISM

SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject) is based in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Focused on preserving the biodiversity of Gunung Leuser National Park through its wildlife conservation work by rescuing the animals, which were mostly held in illegal captivity or as pets. It was officially established in 2014 with a strong intention to protect the local environment and animals belonging to Gunung Leuser National Park as their natural habitat. Having a role in the ecotourism business in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, Indonesia, its founder has committed to utilizing his company profits to support SUMECO wildlife rescue mission.

Gunung Leuser National Park is well-known to be a region with the highest concentration of Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii). The Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP) ecosystem is also considered to be the most important conservation area on earth. Leuser is located in the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, situated on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia.

Covering more than 2.6 million hectares, the area is one of the richest expanses of tropical rainforest in Southeast Asia. It is the last place on earth where Sumatran elephants, Sumatran rhinoceroses, Sumatran tigers, and Sumatran orangutans are found within one area. As of 2003, the Gunung Leuser National Park was declared by UNESCO to be one of the world heritage sites.

BUKIT LAWANG, CONSERVATION STRATEGIC AREA

Bukit Lawang is a village located directly bordering the Gunung Leuser National Park forest area, and it has to be categorized as a buffer zone village for the park. This tourist village was formed in 1972 because of its WWF-funded conservation project to open the Sumatran orangutan rehabilitation center. Bukit Lawang cannot be separated from conservation values and efforts because it is also a village utilizing the biodiversity of Gunung Leuser National Park as its regional income.

We must be honest and admit that we must coexist with the animals in Gunung Leuser National Park, which are frequently in conflict with human settlements; this will not be possible unless their habitat is degraded. Any idea that promotes environmental awareness will be the best strategy for developing Bukit Lawang into a conservation-based ecotourism village.