VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the countries with the highest level of biodiversity in the world. In an effort to preserve this diversity, the government collaborates with various parties to carry out various conservation efforts both in natural habitats and outside their natural habitats. As an effort to introduce and monitor the circulation of wild animals at the field, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has launched a Guidebook for Identification of Protected Animal Species. This book is made in a collaboration between Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry with the United States Agency for International Development - USAID and other related parties. The book was launched on Monday, August 5, 2019 at the Muka Kuning Nature Park, Batam as part of the commemoration of the National Nature Conservation Day - HKAN. Director General of Conservation and Natural Resources, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Wiratno after launching the book explained, in addition to education, this book can be used as a technical guide for law enforcement to oversee the circulation of protected wildlife.

“This is also important for law enforcement, then there are also studies on how to identify a type of reptile, for example dragons, this is from their morphological appearance. But in terms of DNA it is also developed,” said Director General of Conservation and Natural Resources, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Wiratno.

On the same occasion, Director of Biodiversity Conservation, Indra Eploitasia explained, this book is intended for customs, quarantine, military, police officers and actors in the field on how to recognize protected animals. According to him, there are 904 species of protected animals making it difficult for officers to identify these animals. (VOI/SEKAR/AHM)