The Ethnobiological Society of Indonesia (Perkumpulan Masyarakat Etnobiologi Indonesia - PMEI) is proud to announce it has been awarded a significant grant from the UK-based Rufford Foundation for the year 2025. This funding will support a vital conservation initiative focused on two highly threatened dipterocarp tree species endemic to the island of Belitung: Hopea bilitonensis (Critically Endangered) and Shorea balangeran (Vulnerable).
The project, titled "Conserving threatened and endemic species of Hopea bilitonensis and Shorea balangeran in the Province of Bangka-Belitung Islands, Indonesia", aims to address the alarming decline in population of these key forest species, which are threatened by habitat loss, land-use change, and a lack of natural regeneration.
The 2025 program will focus on two primary and interconnected objectives:
1. Comprehensive Population Studies: Conducting detailed field surveys to accurately assess and map the remaining wild populations of Hopea bilitonensis and Shorea balangeran across Belitung. This data is crucial for understanding their current status and defining conservation strategies.
2. Seed Collection and Community Collaboration: Identifying healthy mother trees and collecting propagation material (seeds) from both species to ensure genetic diversity. This critical activity will be conducted in close collaboration with local communities on the island, integrating traditional knowledge with scientific methods and building local capacity for conservation.
This grant from the Rufford Foundation is a crucial first step in preventing the extinction of these unique species. Our collaborative approach with the local communities of Belitung is fundamental. Their involvement ensures the project is grounded in local context and promotes long-term stewardship of their natural heritage.
Looking beyond 2025, PMEI has a clear vision for the future of these species. The successful completion of the initial phase is designed to lay the groundwork for a subsequent funding application to the Rufford Foundation.
The next critical stage is propagation and reintroduction. With continued support, we aim to establish nursery facilities, propagate the collected seeds, and ultimately reintroduce hundreds of saplings of Hopea bilitonensis and Shorea balangeran into their native and restored habitats on Belitung. Our long-term goal is to see stable, self-sustaining populations of these species secure for future generations.