Community-Based Conservation of Tapanuli Orangutans and Gibbons in the Batang Toru Forest Ecosystem

Project Location: 8 (Eight) villages surrounding the Batang Toru Forest Ecosystem (Batu Satail and Sampean Villages in Sipirok Subdistrict; Aek Nabara, Tanjung Dolok, Haunatas, Marancar Julu, and Simaninggir Villages in Marancar Subdistrict; and Pinagar Village in Arse Subdistrict), South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra Province.
Funding Partner: Arcus Foundation
Implementing Partners: : SRI (involving communities across 8 assisted villages)
Reporting Period: 2025 – October 2026
Activity Focus:
1. Strengthening Community Conservation Agreements
2. Building village enterprise capacity and strengthening market linkages
3. Implementing SMART patrols
4. Enhancing sustainable agriculture to reduce forest conversion
5. Establishing village regulations on the protection of protected wildlife

Executive Summary :
This report summarizes the progress of community-based conservation activities focused on the protection of Tapanuli orangutans (Pongo tapanuliensis) and gibbons in the Batang Toru Forest Ecosystem from 2021 through 2026. Through a strategic approach across eight target villages, the program has achieved significant milestones, including the strengthening of village-level regulations through Village Regulations (Perdes) on forest area and wildlife corridor protection, economic development through a coffee Joint Business Group (KUB) that has successfully penetrated international export markets (Singapore and Dubai), and the intensive implementation of conservation patrols along the Aek Sirabun corridor to ensure the security of protected wildlife habitats.

Key Performance Achievements :
During the reporting period (2021–2026), several key milestones were successfully achieved in alignment with established targets:

A. Governance and Village Regulatory Strengthening
Village Regulations (Perdes): Village regulations have been officially enacted in 6 villages (Batu Satail, Aek Nabara, Tanjung Dolok, Haunatas, Marancar Julu, and Simaninggir) concerning the Protection, Control, and Utilization of Forested Areas for Community Economic Improvement and as Wildlife Corridors.

B. Economic Development and Sustainable Enterprises
Coffee Joint Business Group (KUB): The *Tanda Sira Maju Bersama”*coffee KUB has been actively operating in Tanjung Dolok Village, Marancar Subdistrict. This group has successfully marketed specialty green bean coffee to international markets in Singapore and Dubai

C. Habitat Protection and Field Patrols
Community-Based Patrols (SMART Patrols): Conducted patrols within Community Conservation Agreement areas along the Aek Sirabun corridor, covering a total tracked distance of75 km.

Field Findings: Monitoring results indicate that the forest remains in excellent, well-preserved condition, with continued signs of presence for key wildlife species such as Tapanuli orangutans, hornbills, and tigers.

Challenges and Constraints
No significant issues or constraints were reported during this period. All community empowerment activities, village legislation, coffee enterprise development, and corridor patrols proceeded effectively according to schedule.

Next Steps
Complete the full planting of the 16,000 seedlings across the designated APL locations. Conduct maintenance activities (such as replanting, weeding, and initial fertilization) to ensure a high survival and growth rate for the planted seedlings. Perform periodic monitoring and evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the Community Conservation Agreements (CCA)