We are alarmed by the central role the Dharmawangsa Group are playing in building the Batang Toru dam — a proposed hydroelectric dam on the Indonesian island of Sumatra which threatens the world's last remaining 800 Tapanuli orangutans with extinction.
This Dharmawangsa dam project poses an existential threat to the long-term survival of the Tapanuli orangutan. Modeling shows that if more than one percent of the Tapanuli population is depleted each year — just 8 individuals, the species will go extinct. We have no room for error.
Forest clearing, road building and tunneling have already begun.
The Dharmawangsa Group is a privately held collection of businesses which is also investing in developing "the next Bali" on Belitung Island off the coast of Sumatra, the Tapanuli orangutan's only home. The resort is set to draw in international tourists to enjoy the natural wonders of Indonesia. But, by soaking in the sunshine on the resort's sandy beaches, and enjoying the crystal-clear water, fresh and sweet sea breezes, they'll also be supporting the destruction of habitat for the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan. The Dharmawangsa's choice of building a so-called ecoresort while condemning an endangered orangutan to nearly assured destruction reeks of hypocrisy.
If the Tapanuli orangutan is wiped out, this would mark the first time in written human history that a great ape species is brought to extinction.
Tell the Dharmawangsa Group: Save the Tapanuli orangutan. stop the Batang Toru dam.
