The Charities
MIND.
1 in 4 of us will experience mental distress during our lifetime and so it is critical that we raise awareness of mental health for the benefit of all members of society. Mind’s vision is of a society that promotes and protects good mental health for all, and that treats people with experience of mental distress fairly, positively, and with respect. Through our work, we hope to make it possible for those who experience mental distress to live full lives, and play their full part in society.
Project Barito Ulu.
Project Barito Ulu is the longest running forestry research programme in central Borneo, having worked with the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry since 1988. It is NGO affiliated with the University of Cambridge. It combines rainforest management with research into improving methods of regenerating forest destroyed by commercial logging and traditional slash and burn farming.
Scientists and students have visited PBU’s research station from major research institutes and universities in more than 15 countries, with over 120 students attending our annual summer courses gaining tropical forestry experience.
Orangutans have become severely threatened by the recent growth of palm-oil companies in southern Borneo so PBU has joined with a local Borneo Orangutan charity to release 160 animals into its research area where the forest quality is still good and the released Orangutans can be monitored by PBU staff. The BBC came to film a release by helicopter as part of the Orangutan
Diaries series.
PBU’s research station and forest is located within the Heart of Borneo World Heritage Park, which spans the major Barito River watershed. However due to global demand, even this area has now become threatened with commercial exploitation from oil-palm plantations, open-cast coal-mining and unsupervised logging. The Ministry of Forestry has recently offered PBU a 100 year lease to purchase the dormant logging concession which overlays its research forest; this will create a vital monitoring centre from which they will be able to check on any illegal development.