Wehea Profile
The Wehea Protection Forest is an important asset in biodiversity conservation. This 29,000 hectare area is home to endemic wild animals such as orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus), Bornean gray gibbons (Hylobates funereu), red langurs (Presbytis rubicunda) and clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi borneensis). The challenge is that 80% of the protected animal habitat is located outside the conservation area.
The high vital value of the Wehea Protected Forest for the sustainability of biodiversity and people's lives, has increasingly encouraged indigenous peoples not to be eroded by mere production needs. What's more, this forest is rich in natural resources that are used as a source of food, water, living pharmacy, and others. The Dayak Wehea community began real action to protect the area which is the habitat of the Bornean orangutan. What was originally a production forest was proposed to become a protected forest. Until finally in 2004, the status of a protected forest area was obtained with management rights by the Dayak Wehea community.
The Petkuq Mehuey group consists of a group of Wehea Dayak youths who were inaugurated by the customary head of the Dayak Wehea tribe in Nehas Liah Bing Village to guard the Wehea Protection Forest area. They patrol to prevent the entry of illegal loggers, illegal mining, collect data on flora and fauna, and monitor wildlife. Not only that, the Petkuq Mehuey group is also tasked with accompanying tourists who come.
Media
https://www.ykan.or.id/id/kemitraan/mitra-konservasi/nature-heroes/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFZ9J9LZXA4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODR5vt5eEM4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xFj_Gn-3YU
Contact Person
Yuliana Wetug (Phone : +62 812-5039-5858)
Map
