Background and Management
Background
KWPLH is located 23 km north of the center of Balikpapan on the Balikpapan-Samarinda road, on 10 hectares of municipal land. The site was originally developed for agricultural tourism (Agrowisata), a national government initiative. After the official opening, these sites were rarely adequately managed and maintained. In the year 2000, following decentralization, the management of these sites was handed over to local governments.
In 2001 the sun bear became the mascot of Balikpapan. Interest and local media attention on sun bears has been aroused by a research project, started in 1997, by Gabriella Fredriksson, on sun bears in the Sungai Wain Protection Forest. Following the adoption of sun bears as mascot, several bears were confiscated from private owners. These bears were placed in barred cages at the Agrowisata location.
In 2003, the mayor of Balikpapan, Pak Imdaad Hamid, requested advice and support in developing the location to provide environmental education. Two years were spent making plans, lobbying local government, and securing long-term support. In February of 2005 physical site development began with the building of the sun bear enclosure. In August of 2005, management and development of the facility was granted to the Management Board for the Sungai Wain Protection Forest (BP – HLSW).
Management
The Sungai Wain Management Body (BP-HLSW) is the first multi-stakeholder non-government, non-profit organization, forest management organization that has been established in the region. The BP-HLSW consists of two branches, one for the management of the Sungai Wain Protection Forest (UP-HLSW) and another for management of the education facility (UP-KWPLH). The Sungai Wain Protection Forest is a 10,000 hectare rain forest within the boundaries of Balikpapan. It is home to many endangered species including sun bears, orangutans, and many other primate species. It has been managed by the UP-HLSW for several years and is held as an example of practical and successful forest protection under the district government.
The UP-KWPLH receives funding for management and running costs from the local government in the form of annual grants. This means donated funds goes directly to developing the site and enlarging the capabilities of KWPLH.