The Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem has an extraordinarily high degree of biodiversity. It is renowned as one of the last refuges of many species of endangered wildlife, home to over 59 species of mammals, six species of primates, 192 species of birds and various butterfly species. The ecosystem is the only orang-utan re-introduction area in Sumatra and the largest orang-utan habitat outside the Leuser Ecosystem of Aceh, and is an important habitat for the Sumatran tiger, Sumatran elephant and the Asian tapir.

The objective of the project is to conserve endangered forests through appropriate land-use management strategies in selected areas in the Bukit Tigapuluh Landscape to maintain important carbon stocks, conserve exceptional biodiversity, and supporting the environment of the forest dependent indigenous communities.

The expected results are:

• Effective management of the project area through effective ERC management or alternative appropriate land-use management strategies is developed;
• Pilot measures of forest restoration are implemented;
• Market links and a sustainable finance concept for ERC management are developed;
• Village land use and development plans are agreed in a participatory way and implemented with local communities in and around the ERC;
• Monitoring Systems for selected biodiversity, forest cover and the social economic situation of target communities are developed.