In Sumatra logging continues to threaten the pristine habitat of Orangutans, Elephants, Rhino, and Tigers. In particular, one last large tract of rainforest exists, called the Leuser, that is home to the last forest that houses all 4 of these wonderful animals. They share this home with 4000 plant species and over 380 bird species with much more habitat that is not yet documented by science.

In addition Sumatra is a ‘carbon sink’, in real terms this means that it’s an area of the world that is particularly good at soaking up carbon into its plants and soils with much of Sumatra being home to large tropical peat lands. This becomes ‘slash and burn’ agriculture with land being drained and burned. The scale of this is such that it is known as the South East Asian smog, a relatively regular occurrence that sees plumes of smoke sweep across Indonesia and much of SE Asia creating respiratory health problems from many and releasing huge amounts of carbon dioxide.

In 2017 Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) decided enough was enough. They and their project partners Orangutan Information Centre found a parcel of land in the Lueser that was adjacent to national forest. This forest was at risk of further logging for destructive Palm oil plantations and home to the vital species that are so endangered. The 100 hectare parcel of land was an ageing Palm oil plantation and so SOS hatched a brazen plan. Buy the land. Cut down the Palm. Bring back the forest and plant crops for the future.

First they raised the funds. They did this via Lush where I was working at the time. We created an Orangutan soap using sustainable ingredients from Sumatra. This soap was sold with all proceeds being donated to the project – it was a runaway success, first £100,000 was raised in just 3 days and then a total of £350,000 over the following weeks as the product rolled out across Europe.

Next the work started in earnest. Actually the work started with Ernest (Ernest Zachervic to be precise). A Lithuanian artist who worked with eco-art group Splash and Burn to create a stunning conceptual piece – a huge art installation carved into the Palm trees we were removing from the land. Using digital mapping and drone technology they created a huge land stencil, the letters SOS were cut into the Palm trees it sung a stark warning and a sexy looking aerial advert. Watch the video below to see how it was done.

With the Palm cut down (it had reached the end of its productive cycle) the land was rehabilitated. The plot was carefully divided in two with one half being aptly reforested with native species. I found this process incredible, the experienced team only planted 40 species of tree. They said this was enough to bring in wildlife that would do the rest within a few years a further 50 species of plant arrived.

The other half of the land became a Permaculture demonstration site that grows crops for local and international market as well as building an Eco school for children on the site. After 2 years we received the incredible news that the school children had been watching from their windows as an Orangutan ventured back into the young forests again, proof that change can be quick and positive when we set about it in the right way! This remains one of my proudest moments and full disclosure I’m now a trustee at SOS and a big fan. Oh and if you are ever hungry for some Orangutan-friendly chocolate then drop by local Chocolatiers Chococo who used the same shaped mould to create their Tuan and Tuantoo o rangutan chocolates which support SOS reforestation projects on the same land.

Simon Constantine

Save Our Souls

Lush Green Desert

Not much COP