COMMEMORATING THE NATIONAL NATURE CONSERVATION DAY, BIODIVERSITY WARRIORS GAVE BIODIVERSITY PHOTOS TO GOVERNOR OF JAKARTA
-
Date:
30 Apr 2020 -
Author:
KEHATI
Jakarta-Biodiversity Warriors (BW), Yayasan KEHATI gave photographs of biodiversity (biodiversity) that found in the Jakarta ecosystem to the Governor of DKI Jakarta, represented by the Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta for Spatial Planning and the Environment, Oswar Mungkasa. This activity is carried out to commemorate National Nature Conservation Day on Friday, August 10th, 2018.
Executive Director of Yayasan KEHATI, Riki Frindos, stated that the people of Jakarta, especially the younger generation must be aware of the richness of their lives. After realizing, we hope that they can get involved in preserving this priceless wealth.
“These photos are the embodiment of the young generation participation in conserving biodiversity in DKI Jakarta. Yayasan KEHATI through BW will continue to support environmental conservation activities in DKI Jakarta and other regions in Indonesia. On the momentum of this National Nature Conservation Day, we also want to emphasize that conservation activities must be carried out in synergy between the government, NGOs, and the community,” he added.
These photo were taken at the Capture Nature (Capnature) activity, which is a data collection and documentation of biodiversity in several green spaces (RTH) in Jakarta by students who are members of the BW community in Jakarta. For example, the Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemachepala) was photographed by Panji B, Surata Azis, and Mutia Afianti from the National University’s Faculty of Biology.
Capnature activities are carried out regularly by BW members throughout Indonesia, including in big cities. Besides collecting biodiversity, this activity is a place for sharing and learning related to the latest development of life among fellow BW members. The data collection will be uploaded to the BW website and social media, so that it can be accessed by other members throughout Indonesia
As the nation’s capital and largest business city in Indonesia, the massive development of infrastructure in Jakarta has made green spaces conversion inevitable. In 2017, green space in Jakarta was only 9.98%. According to the Article 29 and 30 of Law Number 26 Year 2007, each city requires to have a minimum of 30 percent of green spaces. This fact clearly influences the condition of biodiversity in Jakarta.
The Biodiversity loss in Jakarta is also caused by several other factors, such as bird poaching. The worsening condition of river and sea water also causes the decreasing of fish population. This causes the number of species that live around rivers and seas to drop, such as Asian small-claw otters (Aonyx cinerea) and Brahminy kites (Haliastur indus).
Based on observations made by BW KEHATI in 30 green spaces in Jakarta in 2015, there were estimated to be 124 species of birds from a total of 256 species that were originally in Jakarta in 1949. Meanwhile, other biodiversities that can still be found in green spaces in Jakarta are 40 species of herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians), 8 types of mammals, 28 types of dragonflies, 29 types of butterflies, and 17 types of macro-mushrooms.
Several types of birds that were successfully found by BW KEHATI include Black-winged starlings (Sturnus melanopterus) and Sunda Coucal (Centropus nigrorufus). Both birds are listed as critically endangered and vulnerable on IUCN redlist.
“The Biodiversity in Jakarta is a value that should be rotected. It does not only have an ecological impact, but it can also have social, cultural, and economic impacts. Besides being a symbol of Jakarta, if it can be managed properly, this natural wealth can be developed into a local government ecotourism program,” said Riki.