Siberut Conservation Programme: Where SCP operates (Mentawai Archipelago, Peleonan Forest, Politcioman, Pungut)

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	Where we operate


	The Mentawai Archipelago

The Mentawai Archipelago, comprising the four main islands of Siberut, Sipora and North and South Pagai, lies approximately 150 km off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia and belongs to one of the global Hotspots of Biodiversity (Sundaland). Largely due to its extended period of geographical separation from the mainland, the island chain has evolved an unusually high degree of biological richness, and many of the region’s animals and plant species are to be found nowhere else on earth. Of Mentawaian mammal species, for example, at least 17 are endemic, more, in fact, than on Sumatra itself. As a result of this rich variety of rare and unusual wildlife, the Mentawais are sometimes referred to as the Galapagos of the East.




		SCP’s field bases

		SCP´s field reseach station lies in the heart of the Peleonan´s primary rainforest habitat. Comprising seven main buildings linked by a series of raised walkways, the field station provides comfortable accommodation and work-space for scientists and support staff. The station, which takes its name from the nearby Pungut river is at the centre of SCP´s 11 km² core study area, access to which is facilitated by an extensive network of interconnecting transects. SCP also maintains its own house in the neighbouring village of Politcioman, where the project has developed an active partnership with the local community. Politcioman, situated close to the mouth of the Sigep river, is a small village of about 700 inhabitants comprising nine different clans. It is these local villagers who own the Peleonan forest that is rented by SCP. Politcioman not only serves an essential function in networking SCP´s activities in the region, but is also the focus of its extensive community-based programme. SCP has recently completed the construction of its own community development and education centre which now provides the focus for these village activities.



				Politcioman is situated close to the mouth of the Sigep river

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	The Peleonan Forest

Siberut is the largest and most northerly of the Mentawai Islands. SCP´s field-based activities are located in the northeastern corner of the island, in and around a 4500 ha area of primary rain- and coastal swamp-forest habitat, known as the “Peleonan” Forest. Despite its conservation significance, the location of the Peleonan Forest is unusual in being outside the islands’ National Park and within an area designated as production forest. It is currently protected on the basis of short–term contracts with local clans and an agreement with Indonesian officials to exclude the forest from a recently awarded logging concession.

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	Pungut fieldstation - a remote, but well equipped research base surrounded by primary rainforest