The Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve REDD Project

2004). These losses highlight the importance of adjacentareas in firming the ongoing viability of resident birdpopulations. Of more than 32,000 ha of Oil Palm estatesituated immediately to the east of TPNP, some 75% stillsupports intact or only lightly degraded forest (Stanley 2008).This area thus offers excellent opportunities for bolsteringthe viability of animal populations utilizing TPNP andsurrounding areas.Taken together, these factors indicate that an on-­‐the-­‐groundbiodiversity survey will be of great value in: characterizing thebiodiversity values present within the oil palm license areas in ornear the project area; identifying areas and habitats important inmaintaining the viability of local, regional and in some casesglobal populations of species of concern; and developingsustainable management of High Conservation Values presentwithin the project area and biodiversity in the broader sense, theprotection of which is a central feature of the CCBA standard.Reptiles and Amphibians. Borneo is one of the richest islands onthe Sunda Shelf for reptiles and amphibians (MacKinnon et al1996). Although understudied, especially when compared toplants, mammals and birds, Borneo is known to haveapproximately 166 species of snakes, 3 species of crocodile, 104species of lizard, at least 15 species of turtles and tortoises, and183 species of amphibians (MacKinnon et al 1996, Iskandar2000). To our knowledge, Tanjung Puting National Park’s TPNPherptofauna has never been surveyed. Fifteen species ofherptofauna have been confirmed present in TPNP, but this listclearly does not represent the full suite of herptofauna likelypresent in the park and Rimba Raya project area. Annex 9presents an incomplete list of reptiles that have been identifiedas confirmed or possibly present in the Rimba Raya project area.Of particular concern is the False Ghavial (Tomistoma schlegelii)(EN under IUCN), which has been hunted to extinction in most ofBorneo but is still present in TPNP and may be present as well inthe Seruyan River running along the eastern edge of the RimbaRaya project area. The Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) isalso present in TPNP. Although listed as lower risk on IUCN, thisspecies has also suffered severe overhunting and is listed in CITESAnnex II and protected by Indonesian law. While conductingsocial surveys in the Rimba Raya project area, the Daemetersocial team reported villager claims that crocodiles still exist inthe Seruyan River and its tributaries.The Malayan giant turtle (Orlitia borneensis) and Asian gianttortoise (Manouria emys) are two Endangered (IUCN) reptilesthat are also confirmed present in TPNP, and also likely presentin the Rimba Raya project area. The Painted river terrapin(Callagur borneoensis) has not been confirmed present in thepark, but is a Critically Endangered (IUCN) species that should beconsidered if faunal surveys are undertaken.Management of these species, as well as other herptofauna, willneed to focus on protecting wetland areas and undisturbedforests (preferred habitats for Bornean herptofauna), reducinghunting, and maintaining water quality in rivers and wetlands.Hunting pressure on crocodiles and turtles tends to beparticularly severe, with crocodiles seen as a threat to humansafety and their skin a valuable commodity, while turtles are apreferred food. Sedimentation, nutrient loading, and destructivefishing practices (e.g. cyanide) also have negative implication ondistribution and viability of water/river dependent species.48