THE morning sun has just risen as the 10-member research team enters the Kayan Mentarang National Park to study the biodiversity of the area. The men, dressed in jungle uniforms, carry with them logistical goods and research instruments—magnifying glasses, tubes, plastic—required for their research work.

Leaving their base camp in Desa Pa'raye for the forest park located in Kecamatan Krayat Darat in the East Kalimantan district of