Safeguarding God's trust at the Javan Eagle Sanctuary Center

By HIDAYAT TRI, MOSAIC Member, Chairman of the Sharia Economic Society (MES) of Bekasi City

Tadabbur alam becomes as one of the ways to better know the signs of the greatness of Allah SWT by feeling and being present directly to see His beautiful and marvelous creation. This Ikhtiar is done as one of the forms of worship that can bring us closer to the Creator in order to increase faith.

For this reason, three Chairmen of the Sharia Economic Society of Bekasi City, Dhany Wahab, Lili Fadly and Hidayat Tri who are the 1978 Faculty of Forestry UGM conducted a nature visit to the Java Eagle Wildlife Sanctuary Center (PSSEJ) located in Gunung Halimun Salak National Park in Bogor Regency on October 9, 2024.

The journey starts from Bekasi City to Nature Conservation Information Headquarters (PIKA) at Jalan Pajajaran 79, Bogor City. The group was received directly by the leadership and employees of PIKA office with 3 (three) books on birds, mangroves and conservation, as an introduction to the Gunung Halimun Salak National Park.

A short and relaxed explanation accompanied by mineral water, tea, coffee, lontong and lemet. After arriving at the Central Area of the Javan Eagle Animal Sanctuary (PSSEJ) Gunung Halimun Salak which is located in Loji, Cicitrus, Bogor Regency. Greeted directly by Mr. Wardi Septiana, S.Hut as Head of Resort PSSEJ and Kang Rahmat.

The PSSEJ was formed in 2007, when the National Park Hall of Gunung Halimun Salak (BTNGHS) along with 12 agencies (government, private, and NGO) joined the Eagle Sanctuary association to build a Rehabilitation and Conservation Center in BTNGHS. The rehab center is known as the raptor sanctuary. In 2015 through the decision of the Director General of KSDAE the eagle sanctuary was designated as PSSEJ with management authority fully under BTNGHS.

The presence of birds of prey (Raptors) in an ecosystem is important because of its position as the top predator and as the controller of the ecosystem in the food chain system. Thus, when disturbances occur, their ecosystems will be disrupted, both directly and indirectly. Information regarding existing species, age structure, size, dispersal population as well as other data regarding birds of prey is indispensable. Because it can be used as an indicator of the extent of disturbance to the ecosystem as well as to the species of birds of prey themselves.

Efforts to rescue and preserve the presence of birds of prey in Indonesia have been and are being pursued by various parties, one of which is Gunung Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS), which directly manages the special conservation agency of the Java Eagle Wildlife Sanctuary (PSSEJ). After getting an explanation from Pak Budi, Wardi, Pak Rahmat, some PSSEJ staff and SMK Pandeglang students who are interning, tadabbur alam team, proceeded with the socialization of FATWA MUI Number 4 of 2014 on Preservation of Rare Animals to Maintain Ecosystem Balance.

“We must all be responsible for maintaining the balance of the ecosystem as a reflection of the harmonious relationship between humans and the Khaliq, between humans, and the universe,” said Rahmi Hidayati, Vice Chairman of LPLH & SDA MUI Center.

The MUI fatwa issued on 22 January 2014 was issued as a reminder to encourage communities to play an active role in wildlife conservation efforts, including dealing with wildlife conflicts in their areas, both directly and indirectly.

Rahmi Hidayati further affirms that “Preserving the nature of the environment and the ikhtiar to develop it with local wisdom, is indispensable to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. We hope that everyone here will participate in socializing this MUI Fatwa in order to protect animals, such as the Javan Eagle,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hidayat Tri emphasizes, since in the realm of azali, man has promised that God is our Lord (Alastu bi robbikum, kollu bala shahidna), then man has 2 (two) Trusts at once. The Trust of the Treatise and the Trust of the Caliphate. In connection with this Fatwa MUI, the duties of man in the world include; Al-Intifa' (to benefit and to make the best use of it). Al-I'tibar (taking lessons, thinking, giving thanks, while unearthing the secrets of God's creation). And Al-Islah (to preserve and preserve nature according to the Creator's intent, namely for the welfare and prosperity of man, and to preserve the harmony of the natural life of God's creation).

After the fatwa socialization event MUI was then continued with a field trip to see what is in the area of Mount Halimun Salak by seeing some Conservation Enclosures.

In the PSSEJ area there are various facilities such as rehabilitation cages, flight training cages, display cages for direct viewing of various types of eagles, animal rehabilitation clinic, feed room with biosecurity system, camping area, suspension bridge and visitor center. Not to be missed, we were invited and saw directly the display enclosure which contained the Javan Eagle, the Brontok Eagle, the Mouse Eagle and the Bido Snake Eagle.

The habitat of the Javan Eagle (nisaetus bartelsi) is an evergreen tropical rainforest ecosystem, from lowlands to higher areas with altitudes reaching 2,200 meters and sometimes 3,000 meters above sea level. Generally the location chosen by the java eagle is far from human activity.

With this natural tadabbur, we gain very valuable knowledge and experience, being able to see and interact directly with the Javan Eagle which is the personification of the Garuda Bird as the emblem of the country.