Over time, a total of 1,000 turtle hatchlings, or baby turtles, will be set free along the West Coast of Muara Opu in the Muara Batangtoru Subdistrict as part of an initiative to bolster turtle conservation. This release signifies the commencement of a comprehensive, long-term conservation program backed by Agincourt Resources in collaboration with the Ovata Indonesia Institute. Going forward, Agincourt Resources will also contribute to the establishment of conservation facilities, the formation of patrol teams, teams dedicated to the care of eggs and hatchlings, area security, coastal guards, and the advancement of coastal conservation research.
The Deputy General Manager of Operations Agincourt Resources, Wira Dharma Putra, emphasized that turtle protection holds paramount importance in contemporary biodiversity conservation efforts. Ecologically, turtles are integral to maintaining the equilibrium of nature and human life, playing a vital role in the balance of coral reef ecosystems and the sustenance of marine fish populations. Additionally, turtles are recognized as protected fauna, listed on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List, and categorized under CITES Appendix I, signaling the imminent threat to their survival.
“The release of these hatchlings is anticipated to be a significant stride in safeguarding marine biodiversity and endorsing environmental conservation within the Company’s operational domain. We remain dedicated to adhering to and implementing the principles of Good Mining Practice in accordance with prevailing regulations,” stated Wira Dharma Putra during the hatchling release ceremony on the West Coast of Muara Opu on Sunday, January 7, 2024.
Erwinsyah Siregar, an activist from the Ovata Indonesia Institute, commends PTAR’s commitment to preserving coastal and marine ecosystems, particularly in safeguarding turtles. The West Coast of Muara Opu stands as a crucial nesting ground for Indian Ocean turtles, hosting five out of six turtle species in Indonesia, namely the Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta).
