PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, or BNI, has once again affirmed its commitment to supporting wildlife conservation and environmental preservation efforts. This year, through the BNI Berbagi Program, the company is distributing support for the conservation of protected animals, particularly the Bornean Orangutan, as well as forest rehabilitation activities.
BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo explained that this conservation program encompasses two main agendas. First, the rehabilitation of four Bornean orangutans. Second, the reforestation of eight hectares of critical land, which is a vital part of the animal's habitat ecosystem.
"This effort is an important part of BNI's implementation of ESG principles, as well as supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 15 – Land Ecosystems. Through this program, we want to ensure the continued survival of endangered species like orangutans, while also restoring the forest ecosystem as their natural habitat," Okki said in a written statement.
The Bornean orangutan was chosen because its status has been categorized as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) red list, meaning it is at high risk of extinction.
This animal is also known as an umbrella species, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance. With their wide range and seed dispersal habits, orangutans contribute significantly to forest regeneration while also protecting the biodiversity around them.
BNI ensures that rehabilitation support is not only in the form of program funding, but also covers paying for the orangutans' daily needs, such as food, milk, vitamins, and medicine, for a full year at the rehabilitation center. This step continues BNI's commitment, which has been established since 2016 with the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF).
This support covers orangutan rehabilitation, preparation for release (reintroduction), construction of monitoring huts for released animals, and planting of critical land around the conservation area. Meanwhile, reforestation activities are carried out through reforestation, land maintenance, and mitigation of fire threats so that forest functions can be restored and rich in biodiversity.
"Environmental sustainability, social welfare, and economic growth must go hand in hand to achieve a sustainable future. BNI's support for orangutan conservation is part of its corporate social responsibility and a real contribution to the sustainability of Indonesia's ecosystem," Okki concluded.
With this step, BNI not only strengthens its image as a profit-oriented financial institution, but also plays an active role in environmental preservation and ecosystem sustainability that will be a legacy for future generations.