TSL protection is unprotected and non-appendix cites

As a country mega-biodiversity, Indonesia has a wealth of biodiversity with a high level of endemicity. Although some native Indonesian species have been protected by law, they are only a small part of the total biological wealth in Indonesia. There are still many types of wild plants and animals that have not been included in the list of protected species, so the trade and hunting becomes uncontrollable. This is certainly one of the threats to the preservation of biodiversity in Indonesia. Therefore, there is a need for proper regulation in the context of the utilization of, protection, and control of wild plants and animals (TSL) which is not protected.

On Tuesday (22 December 2020), SCENTS had the opportunity to take part in an online discussion organized by the Environment and Forestry Office of Central Java Province. In this discussion, I am. Adhiasto (Director of SCENTS) trusted to be one of the resource persons related to the development of wildlife trade in Indonesia. The discussion participants came from various parties, ranging from non-governmental organizations (NGO), Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA), academy, as well as the Department of the Environment from various regions. Apart from Dwi N. Adhiasto, Another resource person is Sri Ratnaningsih (Ministry of Environment and Forestry) who convey material related to the protection policy, control, and the use of TSL is not protected and is not included in the CITES Appendix. According to Sri Ratnaningsih, management and utilization of TSL is regulated according to Law No 5 Year 1990 dan UU No 23 Year 2014. Internationally the conservation status of TSL refers to CITES and IUCN. In his exposure, Sri also said that Indonesia still has great potential regarding the discovery of new species. But there is also a threat from invasive alien species, so that there is a need for handling efforts, both destroying and managing the population.

In the material, Dwi conveyed about the trend of hunting and wildlife trade which is still high. The data is obtained from reference research (Desk research) as well as direct monitoring (Field survey) what SCENTS does at animal markets. Most of the animals sold in the animal market are unprotected and are caught in the wild in massive quantities. However, a regulation is still needed to regulate this animal trade because massive hunting and trading activities will have a major impact on the population of a species in nature. For example, the Java Sparrow, whose population was once so abundant that it was considered a pest, now it is very difficult to find it in nature. Interesting, breeding results (breeding) what the bird breeders do is very successful. This success can be an alternative solution to increase the population in nature. Like the success of captive breeding on the Bali Starling.

In his final presentation, Dwi also conveyed a follow-up plan, among others, by increasing the protection of protected areas, carry out continuous surveys in the bird market and animal market, improve coordination between relevant Stakeholders and increase knowledge and active role of the community in wildlife protection. Wildlife monitoring patrols need to involve community groups to increase the sense of ownership of the biological wealth they have so that hunting from inside and outside the area can be suppressed. other than that, Wildlife conflict mitigation that is carried out must involve members who are ready at any time to go into the field so that conflicts that occur can be handled optimally..

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