Our scope
PRCF operates in Indonesia as an international non-governmental organization since 1996. And, since 2000 in liaison and through the independent national non-government organisation Yayasan PRCF Indonesia. This is the first country program to exist in the PRCF Federation, and the first program to evolve into an independent national organisation.
From the outset, our activities in West Kalimantan have focused on conservation work in partnership with the local Dayak and Melayu communities. Our geographical focus of operations is within landscapes holding degraded grassland habitats, protected areas, and remnant forest areas in the Sintang, Kapuas Hulu, Bengkayang, and Sambas districts.
We are particularly concerned with the conservation of natural resources, and to search and carry out activities that link protection of natural resources with attainment of sustainable livelihoods. In doing so, we have become aware of the need to strengthen local institutional capacities and of the importance to revitalize ethnic cultural arts and identities.
Forest land rehabilitation
We support local communities in reclaiming degraded grassland areas and carrying out assisted natural regeneration, enrichment planting, agro-forestry, and forestry activities to rehabilitate these lands. Through forestry efforts, we support conservation and sustainable use of land resources with programs that promote community development and the well-being of village households.
Community livelihood support
PRCF Indonesia initiatives support community livelihoods through conservation work, and with activities that focus on reviving and enhancing village economic self-sufficiencies. This includes a variety of community-based activities such as the installation of running water systems, building of sustainable fish ponds and agroforestry systems, establishment of social enterprises to support village livelihoods, and community-based conservation of natural resources, high value forests, and biodiversity.
Endangered wildlife surveys
In Indonesia, PRCF conducts research on critically endangered wildlife that includes the little known Tomistoma crocodile, the increasingly endangered Mueller Gibbon, and the diminishing Hawksbill, Green Olive, and Ridley sea turtles. We combine population surveys with conservation action. Surveys, which are carried out by local villagers in liaison with PRCF experienced researchers, identify high priority conservation areas and provide species endangerment assessments to support conservation planning and action.
Cultural arts revitalization
PRCF Indonesia works with Dayak communities to revive their cultural heritage and specifically weaving arts. The Dayak has a rich weaving tradition that is threatened to disappear with the passing of older weavers. PRCF’s cultural arts revitalization program helps to revive the ancestral significance of Ikat weaving, by researching and documenting ancestral methods, symbols, and practices, and by providing training on traditional weaving methods and symbolism and by facilitating access to natural dye-stuffs and markets.
Community-based forest management
Our efforts to strengthen the capacity of local communities to manage forest resources for conservation and sustainable use have led to activities that facilitate the establishment of community forest management initiatives, whereby people become long-term stewards of the forests. PRCF Indonesia’s community-based forest management and stewardship activities are under development at seven sites in three districts of West Kalimantan, working with the local Melayu and Dayak people.
