Following our recent expedition, the Protection, Forest Security, and Fire (PPHK) Team of PT. Restorasi Habitat Orangutan Indonesia (PT. RHOI) embarked on another expedition, this time to the northern part of Kehje Sewen Forest. Our team—Caesario, Teguh, and Suhendi—set out to Goa Sarang, one of the High Conservation Value Areas (HCVAs).

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Neither of our team members had previously visited Goa Sarang. With only limited information about the route from previous staff and GPS, our team began their journey on foot, following the flow of the Pehpan River. Along the way, they encountered sepan, small waterfalls, and signs of past human activity, such as a small hut. The hut was likely used by agarwood harvesters or swiftlet nest gatherers in past times.

Reaching Goa Sarang was no simple task. Our PPHK team struggle with limit information and a lack of GPS route markers, causing them to lose track several times. It took six days walking from the Lesik Camp to reach the cave. The route itself was dense and untamed, overgrown with thick bush.

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Upon arrival, our team documented the cave and noted important details. The entrance of Goa Sarang measures approximately 21.4 meters in tall and 12.8 meters in wide. They also found signs of human activity, including graffiti on cave’s outer walls. Although curiosity urged them to explore further, the team decided not to enter the cave due to safety and logistical limitations. They also observed numerous honeybee nests on the cave ceiling.

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Although the challenges, the expedition proved worthwhile. Despite losing the track numerous times and suffering blistered feet from their shoes, our PPHK team arrived at their destination and obtained crucial information on the cave. As one of the high conservation value areas, Goa Sarang remains remarkably pristine. The team plans to return in the future with better preparations and equipment to explore the inside of Goa Sarang. Stay tuned for the next expedition story from our PPHK team!

Text by: RE-PPHK Team, PT. RHOI at Kehje Sewen Forest, East Kalimantan