Behind every orangutan monitoring activity, forest patrol, and biodiversity research effort, there is a system that keeps all operations running smoothly. Every month, the logistics team of PT Restorasi Habitat Orangutan Indonesia (RHOI) makes the journey to Kehje Sewen Forest to deliver essential operational supplies to Camp Nles Mamse, Camp Lesik, Posko Simpang 67, and Posko Pelangsiran.

The supplies carried are not limited to food. Fuel, camp equipment, work tools, and daily necessities for all personnel must arrive on time to ensure conservation activities can continue without interruption.

From Muara Wahau to the Heart of the Forest

Around the 21st of each month, the team begins preparing all operational needs in Muara Wahau. Over the following days, supplies are gathered, checked, and packed before being dispatched to the Kehje Sewen Forest area.

The journey to Dermaga 67 takes approximately three hours along dirt roads whose condition depends heavily on the weather. When rain falls, the terrain turns slippery and muddy, forcing vehicles to move with extra caution. At certain points, vehicles even require winch assistance to get through sections of road that would otherwise be impassable.

Beyond the mud, steep inclines and several damaged bridges present additional challenges. These conditions mean that both travel time and the distribution schedule are highly dependent on field conditions at any given moment.

The Journey Continues by River

Dermaga 67 marks the transition point from overland travel to the river route. All supplies are transferred onto boats before continuing the journey toward Camp Nles Mamse.

A portion of the supplies is unloaded at Posko Simpang 67, while the remainder is transported onward to camp by river. Upon arrival, every member of the team works together to move the supplies into the storage area, ensuring all operational needs are ready for use.

More Than Just Delivering Goods

Every sack of rice, every liter of fuel, every piece of safety equipment, and every field tool that arrives at camp plays an important role in supporting conservation work. Without a consistent logistics system, orangutan monitoring, area patrols, biodiversity research, and habitat management could not take place effectively.

This logistics journey is a reminder that conservation success does not depend solely on what happens inside the forest, it also depends on the collaboration of many people working behind the scenes to keep every supporting system running as it should.

Also read:

• The Importance of Human Resource Regeneration For The Sustainability of Orangutan Habitat Restoration
• Caring For The Forest, Growing With The Communities
• Hudaq Festival: A Cultural Heritage of The Dayak People Full of Meaning

Continue the Behind Conservation Journey

In the next episode, we will see how the team keeps camp operations running when the logistics distribution does not go according to plan.

Did You Know? 

Most of the operational supplies in Kehje Sewen Forest are delivered each month through a combination of overland and river routes. Weather conditions are one of the factors that most significantly affect the smoothness of logistics distribution.