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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

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Borneo Conservation Trust Japan

A project to create a bridge for orangutans in Borneo, alongside Japanese zoos

Activity grant

Project Description

Orangutans often cross rivers in the forests where they live, but in Borneo island, deforestation has occurred due to palm oil plantations. This means habitats are being divided, forcing groups of the animal to be isolated. This organization, along with local NGOs, used scrap hosepipes to build two trial bridges. These activities are being carried out with the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary and local NGOs, with Japanese zoo's taking part in the planning, and the bridges are designed with low environmental impact with participation from local villages. Specifically, the areas where bridge building is proposed are to be investigated, the materials and construction methods for the bridge is to be considered, training for the skills needed is to be provided at workshops, and three bridges will be hung on the Kinabatangan River downstream basin. By building a bridge to connect the divided habits, the orangutan's gene diversity is preserved, and a villager-led cross-linking system will be constructed. Furthermore, through involvement with the zoo's in Japan, the project is being returned to its origins by domestic environmental education.

Fields
Preservation of surface soil and forestsPreservation of biodiversity and ecosystem
Grant year
FY2010 Activity Grants
Grant term
2 years
October 2010 - September 2012
Grant amount
7,000,000 yen
Activity region
Kinabatangan River downstream basin, Malaysia
Happy with the completion of suspension bridge number one

Overview of the Organization

Tsubouchi Toshinori, President
Representative
Tsubouchi Toshinori, President
Establishment
2007
Establishment purpose
The aim of this organization is to hand over a sustainable environment to the next generation, where people and nature and co-exist. For biodiversity conservation, protected areas will be connected, and the creation of green corridors in Borneo will link wild animals. Through the utilization of sustainable resources by local people, they will be able to provide eco tours, and through environmental education, Asia's citizens and children can learn the importance of biodiversity, and communicate how to maintain a sustainable society.
Main activity areas
The Sabah region of Malaysia (northeastern Borneo)
Staff
1 full-time member, 2 part-time members, 112 full members
Annual operating income
5.58 million yen in 2007, 3.48 million yen in 2008, 22.91 million yen in 2009
WEB site
http://bctj.jp
Recent activities
  • (1) The creation of green corridors in Borneo: Purchase land that connects the divided habitats, secure donations, in order to ensure wild animals can move freely.
  • (2) Create a suspension bridge for orangutan
  • (3) Establish wildlife rescue center
  • (4) Environmental education for children in Japan and Asia