TALEKOI - On a cloudy afternoon after incessant rain drizzled, our team went to a forest with Talekoi children to plant endemic Kalimantan trees. Some were carrying ironwood tree polybags weighing up to 5 kg. Some kids brought baskets filled with small seeding of Jelutung (Dyera costulata), Pulai (Alstonia scholaris), Balengeran (Shorea balangeran) and Rambai trees (Baccaurea motleyana). Some were walking while holding hoes and knives.
The soft squelching sound of our footsteps on a wet road and the pleasant woody smell after rain accompanied our step into the forest. The rain that had been falling since the morning had flooded the only road access to the forest. Our planting site is a 45-minute walk from the roadside of the coal company. This location has experienced various landscape changes, ranging from being used as a field to having experienced forest fires in the front. And now, the expansion of coal and sand mining is putting pressure on this area.
Nephentes, endemic plant of Kalimantan
Centipede found in the conservation area
Various endemic Kalimantan plants are growing in this forest, including geronggang trees (Cratoxylon arborescens (Vahl.) Blume), galam tikus tree (Syzygium zeylanicum), meranti (Shorea sp), wild orchids, Nepenthes, and pasak bumi (Eurycoma longifolia). Unfortunately, the biodiversity in this area has been greatly reduced as a result of forest fires in 2015. For this reason, we planted 74 trees in these areas in order to boost biodiversity and protect endemic tree species in Kalimantan. We also intend to make this area for the conservation of Ironwood and endemic Kalimantan tree species, so that young people can visit and learn about Kalimantan's valuable trees.
Yoel, one of the Talekoi kids that hand on joining our tree planting, said, "I hope the tree that we have planted can grow well. So, when I get older, the Talekoi children and I can still see all the endemic Kalimantan Tree, especially Ironwood."
Yoel is carrying a bag of Ulin baby tree weights 5kg.
Wild orchids of Talekoi forests
We will plant more and more trees in the future to protect our treasure on the land. You can be part of our grassroot restoration effort by joining or supporting our movement.