SUPPORT FOR A FOREST AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROJECT IN SUMATRA

Philippe Legrez, Executive Director of the Michelin Corporate Foundation travelled to Sumatra to assess how the project developed by WWF and supported by the Foundation is progressing.

The first objective of this project is to make the inhabitants aware of the need to stop the deforestation and train them to protect the environment. To date, the teaching books developed by WWF have been distributed to 10 schools. Furthermore, a vehicle turned into a mobile library and carrying educational material for the communities travels through targeted villages. Forty panels reminding of the legislative framework for the conservation of forest and the protection of wildlife species have been installed in the province of Jambi. Awareness-raising workshops for local communities are regularly organised. The staff of some local companies is also being trained on the issue of human-elephant conflict.

The second objective is to work with these communities to find economic activities that are compatible with environmental issues. In this context, the first awareness-raising workshops have been organised in targeted villages with the aim of developing economic activities that can reduce degradation of ecosystems. Furthermore, in order to improve relationships with local stakeholders and facilitate the dialogue on environmental considerations, an inter-village forum is under implementation.