November 4, 2014 edition
Indonesia is the country with the fifth-most bird species in the world. More than 1,600 species of bird live in the archipelago, and 380 of them are native to nowhere else. Of those endemic species, 13 are critically endangered. Jihad, a staffer of Burung Indonesia Bird Conservation, said many of the birds lived in especially small areas, making them more vulnerable to habitat disruption. "Birds that are only distributed on Sangihe Island like anis bentet (shrike thrush) face the high risk of extinction when the island is subjected to land conversion," he said.
The other factor is hunting. Jalak putih (black-winged starling), for instance, is hunted for its melodious song. Hawk-eagles are sought for their prestige. In fact, birds serve as an important indicator to determine nature conservation priority regions. If a variety of bird species live in a zone, its biological diversity is in good shape.
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More Outreach articles in other editions
January 1, 1970 edition
Less than five minutes from Tomohon, North Sulawesi, rows of wooden houses stand on stilts along a two-kilometer stretch of road. There are small two-room abodes and larger five-room constructions. But none are occupied. Visitors can enter freely and, if they like what they see, bring the buildings home.
These 'knock-down' houses can be dismantled and reassembled. The stretch of road serves as a showroom. This is the famous Woloan Stilt House Industrial Zone. The artisans come from four subdistricts in the area: Woloan I, North Woloan I, Woloan II and Woloan III. But people just refer to them together as Woloan.
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January 1, 1970 edition
January 1, 1970 edition
More than 10 gunny sacks of cacao kernels were arranged in a row in the front room of Comextra Maora's storehouse in Maumere on the island of Flores in Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara. Agus Layni, coordinating team leader of the cacao exporting company, told two employees to examine the sacks' contents. He just wanted to make sure there were no sticking kernels and that they were intact and without epidermis and fungi.
Water content in every cacao kernel is measured with digimost. Undertaking the process revealed that water content in the kernels was around seven percent, in accordance with export standards. "If it is more than 18 percent, we will not buy it," Agus, 32, told Tempo.
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January 1, 1970 edition
January 1, 1970 edition
A smooth and shiny concrete road extends from Dasan Lekong hamlet to the center of Barejulat village, West Nusa Tenggara. It covers a distance of only 600 meters. However, for Efendi, a driver delivering gallon tubes of drinking water, the village's big problem has been solved. "Formerly, my truck frequently got stuck in waterlogged mud holes," he said. Local people no longer need to take a detour on rainy days.
Development of the road stalled two years ago. The problem was settled only after somebody complained to the Talenta FM community radio station. When news of the unfinished road was broadcast, the village chief was asked about his responsibility in an interview with the radio's crew. "After that, construction was resumed," said Efendi, 30.
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September 23, 2014 edition