The local population

Since the beginning of the project care has been taken to involve the local population in the projects. Virtually all employees are from the area. In this way, the project has been accepted and throughout the last ten years has been able to create jobs, many of which still exist today. Local farmers planted the trees while others produce compost, work in the Eco-lodge or for fire protection, care for the orangutans and sun bears. Through the principal of agro forestry local farmers have the opportunity to cultivate their crops between the planted trees The yield helps feed the orangutans. Thus all parties work hand in hand for mutual benefit. At the same time the use of agriculture prevents the dominant alang-alang grass from suffocating and displacing the young seedlings.

As always the orangutans and sun bears in Samboja Lestari consume huge quantities of fruit and vegetables, which, whenever possible, is purchased from local farmers. Additionally,it was possible to improve the agricultural methods of the peasants with training Thus, the harrowing of the fields as an alternative to the standard practice of burning crop residues or alang-alang grass were demonstrated, thus helping to counter the arising of uncontrolled fires.