Batutegi Rainforest

Project Summary

Sumatra’s wildlife is on the brink of extinction as deforestation, illegal hunting, and agricultural expansion devastate its forests. The Batutegi Protection Forest (BPF) in Lampung, one of the last refuges for critically endangered species like the Sumatran tiger and Sunda pangolin, is facing unprecedented threats. Yet hope remains.

Since 2008, YIARI, our local partners have been leading a powerful, community-driven conservation effort, combining forest patrols, technology-driven monitoring, sustainable livelihood programmes, and education. This proven approach has already reduced forest loss by 50% and illegal activities by 66%, with wildlife beginning to recover.

But there’s so much more to do. With your support, we can protect this irreplaceable ecosystem and secure a future where people and nature thrive together.

Local Partner: YIARI

Project aims and impact:

The Full Story

Saving Sumatra’s Critically Endangered Wildlife

Sumatra is facing an environmental crisis. The island has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world, and its wildlife is disappearing at an alarming pace. The Batutegi Protection Forest (BPF), a 60,000-hectare refuge in Lampung, is one of the last strongholds for the critically endangered Sumatran tiger, Sunda pangolin, and numerous other species. But illegal hunting, logging, and agricultural expansion are tearing this vital ecosystem apart, leaving many species at the brink of extinction.

Urgent Action Needed

BPF’s core zone, only 11,000 hectares of intact forest, remains a biodiversity hotspot, home to 12 species of threatened mammals and three species of threatened birds. Yet, without immediate intervention, we risk losing these extraordinary creatures forever. Our local partners, Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI), have been working tirelessly since 2008 to protect BPF, yet the pressures continue to mount. It is now more critical than ever to expand conservation efforts and safeguard this irreplaceable habitat.

A Proven Conservation Model

YIARI have developed a comprehensive, holistic approach to conservation to halt deforestation and protect BPF’s unique wildlife, which includes:

Community-Led Forest Protection: Local patrol teams, trained in monitoring techniques, remove snares, prevent illegal logging, and deter poaching.
Technology-Driven Conservation: Camera traps, drones, and satellite imagery help track wildlife populations and detect threats in real time.
Sustainable Livelihood Programs: YIARI provide training in agroforestry and sustainable farming practices to reduce reliance on illegal activities.
Education & Awareness: YIARI have developed long-term local youth and school programmes to foster awareness of conservation and environmental stewardship.

Impact and Future Goals

YIARI’s work is already making a difference. We’ve seen a 50% reduction in forest loss within the core zone and a 66% decrease in illegal activities. Hundreds of farmers have embraced sustainable practices, and wildlife populations—including sun bears, clouded leopards, and tapirs—are showing signs of recovery. But we need to do more.

By 2026, our goal is to reduce illegal activities by another 30%, increase key wildlife populations by 10% annually, and expand protected areas through stronger local governance and conservation policies.

Your Support Can Make a Difference

The total cost to protect Batutegi this year (2025) is £144,000. Every donation funds patrols, biodiversity monitoring, community education, and sustainable development projects.

Your support can ensure the survival of the Sumatran tiger and countless other species that call Batutegi home. Together, we can create a future where people and nature thrive side by side.

Donate today to protect Sumatra’s forests for generations to come