Orangutans and the Economics of Sustainable Forest Management in Sumatra

This study explores opportunities for a more sustainable pathway to development and looks for reconciliation between forest and biodiversity conservation and economic progress. It focuses on two pilot sites on the island of Sumatra, namely Tripa swamp
and the mountain forests of Batang Toru, both hosting significant orangutan populations. The assessment quantifies the economic trade-offs between unsustainable and sustainable forms of land use, and considers the role of Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) and broader Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes in achieving balanced conservation and development objectives.