PARINGIN, South Kalimantan (TABIRkota) – A post-mining model area managed by coal mining company PT Adaro Indonesia has successfully created a thriving new ecosystem for Kalimantan’s endemic wildlife.
According to Rusdi Husin, Adaro’s Head of Health, Safety, and Environment Division, the reclaimed site in Paringin Tengah District, Balangan Regency, now shelters various protected species, including the Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus) and the Gray Langur (Trachypithecus cristatus).
“To date, 28 proboscis monkeys have settled and formed a colony at our post-mining site in Paringin,” Husin said while welcoming a group of journalists from Banjarmasin to the area on Thursday (May 21).
The model area spans a 28-hectare vegetation zone and features a reclaimed lake reaching depths of up to 38 meters.
Husin explained that through its Research and Development (R&D) program, Adaro has been actively enriching the local flora to provide natural food sources for the primates.
“We also consistently monitor the proboscis monkey colonies to track their habitat development,” he added.
To ensure the animals’ safety, the company has installed strict anti-hunting signs throughout the conservation area.
Randy Saputra, Adaro’s Mine Closure Monitoring and Evaluation Supervisor, noted that these efforts are yielding tangible ecological results.
“In collaboration with experts from Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), Banjarmasin, we continuously monitor the wildlife population,” Saputra said, adding that teams recently spotted a mother proboscis monkey with her infant, indicating successful breeding in the wild.
To further support the food chain, Adaro has planted native flora such as Kariwaya (Ficus), Pongamea, and various fruit-bearing trees.
This vegetation boost has also triggered a rise in local bird populations, including the Coconut Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) and the Kingfisher (Alcedinidae sp.).
The steady presence of proboscis monkeys, gray langurs, and diverse bird species demonstrates that proper post-mining reclamation can successfully restore biodiversity and create sustainable habitats for endangered wildlife. (ra)
