Fidelis E Satriastanti Jakarta Globe 21 Jun 10;
Teluk Meranti, Riau. A camp that was established to protect Kampar peninsula against deforestation but was burned down in April was reopened by villagers here on Monday.
“[The] camp is our hope to save our forests,” said Desmidarti, 47, one of the residents. “If outsiders or foreigners see that the camp is still standing, they know that we’re still fighting for our Kampar’s cause. We need a lot of support.”
The Climate Defenders Camp was set up by Greenpeace in October in an area that environmental groups said was threatened by massive exploitation of peat bogs. In November, Greenpeace handed over management of the camp to the villagers.
But in April, a fire razed the 20-by-50-meter camp. Until now, Pelalawan Police have yet to name any suspects.
Desmadarti said that if the camp was burned down again, residents would build a new facility. The village boasts 27,000 hectares of peatland and relies heavily on the forests to support the people’s livelihoods.
Susanto Kurniawan, of Forest Network Rescue Riau, said the camp was meant to symbolize the local people’s struggle against deforestation.
“We are here only to motivate, but it is the people who will lead the fight,” Susanto said.
Zulfahmi, a Greenpeace representative, said the camp was intended as a research center for peatland restoration.
“Peatlands are damaged after they dry up, and one of the ways to restore them is to make sure those areas are watered again,” Zulfahmi said. “It’s not going to be easy though. It will take time.”
Kampar has drawn the public’s attention after residents accused pulp and paper company PT RAPP of destroying forests in the peninsula.
