The Ulin Foundation is one of the 21 national nominees for the 2023 Kalpataru Award which will be given directly by Minister Siti Nurbaya.
Heaptalk, Jakarta — A non-profit nature conservation organization based in East Kutai, the Ulin Foundation, won the 2023 Kalpataru environmental award for the category of environmental savior from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) through the Directorate General of Social Forestry and Environmental Partnerships.
The award is given for the hard work of the Ulin Foundation team in maintaining the sustainability of the Siamese crocodile habitat which is currently classified as critically endangered.
Responding to this achievement, the Head of the East Kutai Environment Department (DLH), Armin Nazar, said that the Ulin Foundation is one of the 21 national nominees for the 2023 Kalpataru Award. The award will be given directly by the Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya at the Manggala Wanabakti Auditorium, Jakarta on June 5, 2023.
“This is an extraordinary achievement and pride for all of us, especially East Kutai Regency. This is the second Kalpataru ever obtained. Previously, in 2009, we also received the environmental savior category in Wehea Forest, which was accepted by Iedjie Taq,” said Armin as quoted by East Kutai Government Public Relations.
Further, Armin hopes that this achievement will motivate all stakeholders to increase their concern for environmental preservation, one of which is by maintaining the sustainability of the Siamese crocodile habitat as an endemic animal to Kalimantan.
Ulin Foundation was founded in 2009
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Ulin Foundation, Suimah, felt proud that her team’s struggle had finally received the government’s attention. He and his team consistently protect the habitat of Crocodylus siamensis, which is the only remaining one in the world and lives in the wild. The foundation, which was founded in 2009, faced many challenges in the field of protecting the habitat of the Siamese crocodile.
“In the past, we had to have a roadshow to introduce this to every institution to jointly protect its habitat. Gradually the concept that we offered was finally accepted by them,” said Suimah as quoted by East Kutai Public Relations.
Apart from that, the government’s concern and support in maintaining environmental sustainability is manifested in several regulations regarding conservation and the environment, both through regional regulations and ministerial regulations. “Indeed, at this time the impact has not been felt or seen directly. However, in the end, this step will be a positive provision for the sustainability of the Siamese crocodile habitat,” concluded Suimah.
