The Forest Protection, Security, and Fire (PPHK) team from PT. Restorasi Habitat Orangutan Indonesia (PT. RHOI) recently patrolled the northern parts of Kehje Sewen Forest. This patrol began at Camp Lesik at km 103 and continued until it reached km 128. Our team, Rio, Teguh, and Mardi, started in the morning with help of the logistics drivers. The team left Pelangsiran and went to Metun.

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Throughout the trip, our team had conversations with the logistics drivers. They said that the route from Camp Lesik to Metun hadn't been used since before March. As a result, the group met a variety of obstacles, such as landslides, degraded roads, and fallen trees obscuring the main trail. They decided to set up camp for the night at km 113 and continue their trip the following day.

The next day, the team arrived at kilometre 116, where they discovered signs of recent local activity, including the remains of a small camp. According to the drivers, the shelter had been built and was previously used by agarwood harvesters. After documenting this area, our team moved onto km 128. When they arrived, they promptly cleaned up and started a shared dinner with the locals.

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That night, our PPHK team, logistics drivers, and two local residents dining and chatted over coffee. Pak Edi, one of the locals, revealed that he had spent almost 40 days searching for agarwood near km 128. However, after failing to achieve success, he decided to accompany the logistics drivers to Krayan, North Kalimantan. Pak Edi also tell the enormous risk associated with his job as an agarwood harvester, which has uncertain profits.

It is tough working in the forest while still involved in local society. Our team's diverse cultural backgrounds made us appreciate tolerance even more, especially after conversing with Pak Edi. As those in charge of forest protection, PT. RHOI's PPHK team will continue to supervise and monitor such operations, ensuring that vandalism and overuse of forest resources don't happen.

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