The Indonesian Island of Sumatra is best known for its diverse jungles where elephants, rhinos, orangutans, and tigers coexist. These forests, which once accounted for 84% of the land, now face the threat of extinction. Deforestation has led to habitat loss for wildlife, posing a threat to thousands of species.

Oil palm trees, endemic to West Africa, were introduced to the island just over a century ago but thrived in Sumatra’s humid climate.

The plantations have significantly boosted the Indonesian economy, providing jobs for rural families living in surrounding villages. The work is strenuous, and the pay is low, but they have few alternatives.

The global demand for palm oil has accelerated the rate of deforestation, which is killing thousands of endemic species and destroying habitats. The rhino, tiger, elephant, and orangutan are all considered critically endangered due to habitat loss, starvation, and illegal poaching--all products of the palm oil industry.

As the militant rows of oil palm slowly marched across the island, eventually covering over 12 million hectares, locals began questioning the sustainability of the industry. Local conservation organizations have appeared across the island, hoping to end the destruction and protect the vulnerable wildlife.

Since the livelihoods of many locals are dependent on the industry, NGOs like the Orangutan Information Centre aim to cover all bases. By providing education and jobs to villagers, they are hoping to offer an alternative to working in the palm oil industry. Their forest school allows children to attend school for free while learning sustainability practices, and their reforestation center pays villagers to plant native trees on desecrated land. Traditionally, Sumatran culture is deeply rooted in connecting to nature; OIC believes the oil palm industry has severed those ties. To save the forest, they must help locals reconnect to nature.