Professor of IPB: Siti Nurbaya is a Figure of Indonesian Conservation Independence

 The theory and practice of biodiversity conservation is very much undeveloped, far behind from other fields. The reason is the status quo of the narrow concept of conservation, that is, nature preservation through protection and not restoration. Further, the goal of preservation itself is unclear.

Restoration as a concept of conservation has only recently been formulated through the Minister of Forestry Regulation No. 48/2014 and operationalized through the Minister of LHK Regulation No. 18 2015 with the establishment of Sub Directorate of Ecosystem Recovery of Conservation Areas, at the same time changing the name Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation.

"This decision is a milestone that will free nature conservation in Indonesia from the clutches of ecofundamentalism to anthropocentrism. Dr. Siti Nurbaya (Minister of LHK) deserves the award as the "People of Conservation Independence " in Indonesia," said Prof. Dr. Sambas Basuni, Professor of Forestry Faculty, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) in the scientific speech of Professor in Darmaga Campus of IPB, Bogor (29/10).

According to him, the challenge for conservation scientists in the future is to make rules on the standard in the balance and viability of ecosystem such as supporting capacity and carrying capacity of a region, diversity, minimum viable population, productive capacity, community saturation, features of conservation, phenology, and other measures based on research. The policy is needed by conservators, conservation administrator, legislator, and judicator.

"These measures should become a reference for all stakeholders in determining the performance in biodiversity conservation," he explained. (Mtd)