Proboscis Monkey Habitat in South Kalimantan's Peat Swamps Faces Crisis

The habitat of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in the peat swamp areas of Paminggir District, Hulu Sungai Utara Regency, South Kalimantan, is facing concerns. While local residents occasionally spot the monkeys, their numbers are believed to be limited. Rafa’i, a resident of Paminggir District, made three trips by kayak to Jingah Island in search of proboscis monkeys but was unable to find them. Another resident, Amat Kani, shared a video of him accidentally encountering a proboscis monkey while fishing. Proboscis monkeys are endemic primates of Kalimantan that favor mangrove habitats. A study conducted in 2013 by academics from Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) in Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency found a total of 55 proboscis monkeys across four out of 18 surveyed peat swamp locations. The research aimed to assess the distribution and conservation status of the species. Miftahul Pauji, Chairman of the South Kalimantan branch of the Indonesian Social Forestry Management Association (AP2SI), stated that the presence of proboscis monkeys in Paminggir District is inseparable from the swamp, which serves as both a living space for the community and a habitat for the animals. The Paminggir swamp provides ecological functions such as water storage, flood risk reduction, water availability during the dry season, and carbon sequestration. Pauji warned, "If the swamps and their forests are damaged, not only will the community lose their source of livelihood, but the proboscis monkeys will also lose their habitat." Maintaining the swamp's water management system and preventing land-use conversion are crucial for the sustainability of both the proboscis monkeys and the local communities. Source: Mongabay Indonesia