Jakarta, IO – Star Energy Geothermal Salak, Ltd. (SEGS) in collaboration with the Gunung Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS) on Monday (16/9/2024) released Sally, a Javan hawk-eagle, as part of the biodiversity conservation commitment to renewable energy subsidiary of PT Barito Renewables Energy Tbk. (BREN).
Head of SEGS Geothermal Engineering, Irwan Januar Hasbullah, with Head of TNGHS Budhi Chandra released Javan hawk-eagle in the SEGS operational area as part of the series of events for The 10th Indonesia International Geothermal Convention & Exhibition (IIGCE) 2024. Star Energy is the chairman of the IIGCE committee this year, thus hosting the IIGCE field visit.
“In total, over 11 years SEGS and TNGHS have released nine eagles. Last year, the SEGS area was also chosen to be the release site for two Javan hawk-eagles and one Javan leopard. These are environmental conservation initiatives that we have consistently carried out so far. We would like to thank the TNGHS for their close cooperation so far and for trusting us to carry out releases in our area,” explained Irwan.
The Head of TNGHS appreciated SEGS’ commitment to increasing the population of Javan hawk-eagles and other endangered animals in the operational area with various conservation activities carried out so far. “Collaboration with SEGS and Tanah Halisa (Halimun Salak) is a real manifestation of our commitment to protecting nature. By synergizing to protect biodiversity, we also support the sustainability of renewable energy for a better future,” Budhi stated.
The Javan hawk-eagle is one of the priority animals that has been determined by the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (Ditjen KSDAE) through the Decree of the Director General of KSDAE Number: 180/IV-KKH/2015 concerning the Determination of 25 Priority Endangered Animals to increase their population. The Javan hawk-eagle is also included as an endangered animal on the list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The selection of the SEGS area as a release area was based on the assessment of the TNGHS field team that this area is very supportive of the lives of the released animals. The condition of its habitat in the form of a natural forest bordering a tea plantation and the existence of abundant food at the release location is a habitat that is preferred by the Javan hawk-eagle.
Irwan added, “We are very proud that the SEGS area has again been selected as a release location for protected animals, especially the Javan hawk-eagle. This can be an example of world-class best practice regarding geothermal power plant unit operations carried out with high environmental standards and proven to be able to maintain biodiversity and support the sustainability of the environmental ecosystem around the operational area.”
Sally, the female Javan hawk-eagle, was a gift from the Jakarta Sky Troops Community to the Javan Hawk Wildlife Sanctuary Center (PSSEJ) BTNGHS on May 2, 2024, and has passed a four-month rehabilitation period. Her current condition is healthy and can hunt prey well.
Meanwhile, from the SEGS side, one of the environmental conservation initiatives carried out by SEGS is the Green Corridor Initiative. This initiative has contributed to the preservation of the Shannon-Wiener biodiversity index in the area around the Salak unit’s operations in the last decade, which has consistently scored above 3.8 between 2018 and 2020. With other stakeholders, the Green Corridor Initiative has contributed to the successful preservation of endangered species populations in the last decade, such as Javan gibbons from 54 in 2004 to 61 in 2013; Javan leopards from 6 in 2008 to 18 in 2014, and Javan hawk-eagles from 10 in 2008 to 16 in 2011.
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Throughout 2021, SEGS continued the initiatives in the Green Corridor Initiative program, including planting trees and tree seedlings, conserving Tor fish, conserving 30 species of Dendrobium aphyllum Orchids, conserving 159 individual tree frogs (Treefrogs) and conserving 75 black panthers.
“As part of Barito Renewables supports the development of green energy while caring about the preservation of nature in Indonesia, SEGS will certainly always strive to carry out operations while maintaining the quality of biodiversity in the operational area through conservation program initiatives. We will continue to work with related parties to jointly realize a greener and more sustainable Indonesia,” concluded Irwan. (*)