According to forest researcher Dr. Sven Wunder, forest environmental services and conservation areas are generally divided into four categories: carbon sequestration and storage, biodiversity protection, watershed protection, and landscape beauty.

In terms of its landscape, the Kehje Sewen Ecosystem Restoration Forest in the East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan, is rich in scenic beauty. Throughout the forest, we have established a number of transects to use as orangutan patrol routes. Our teams hike along these transects almost every day to conduct orangutan patrols and phenology surveys, as well as carry out security patrols to protect the forest from the threat of fire, encroachment, and poaching.

Our teams usually explore the forest - be it for orangutan patrols or for other tasks - on foot. Not all of these transects are accessible by four-wheel drive vehicle, although we have occasionally used vehicles to reach several points not too far from camp. As mentioned frequently in previous stories, the terrain of the Kehje Sewen is comprised of many hills and valleys, which makes it very challenging to explore. However, we also utilise the river as a means of transportation to reach certain areas of the forest.

There are several transects which, due to their difficult terrain, are rarely used. One of them is Transect #39, which runs a length of 1.6 km, with a 525-metre elevation difference between its lowest and highest points. Along the transect, our team members must work hard to continuously climb a very steep incline. The last time our team visited this transect was in February 2019. However, in June this year, a team made up of Veterinarian Patrick Flagellata and monitoring technicians, Yunus and Kris, returned to the transect.

Due to infrequent traffic, the transect trail was overgrown with vegetation, forcing our team to stop and slash the wild plants and vines to pass through. Along the transect, they spotted three used orangutan nests and traces of food scraps. This indicated that the transect had recently been visited by orangutans, and perhaps frequently saw orangutans passing through.

After hours of walking, with three breaks, the team of three finally reached the summit of Transect #39, at an altitude of 775 metres above sea level. Their fatigue subsided, however, once they set eyes on the breath-taking view from the top of the transect.

Not wanting to get too caught up in the scenery, Vet Patrick, Yunus, and Kris hurried back to Camp Nles Mamse, finally reaching it just before dark. They used boats to cover most of the distance to and from Transect #39 (12 kilometres from camp), which helped reduce travel time. Had they walked all the way from camp, they would not have returned until long after dark!

For those with an adventurous spirit, we hope our stories from the forest might inspire you or spark an interest in our work! Look out for more of our upcoming stories!

Text by: PRM Team in Camp Nles Mamse, Kehje Sewen Forest, East Kalimantan