The Leuser Ecosystem – Rawa Singkil Peat Swamp Forest is located in Aceh Singkil Regency, Aceh Province, with an intervention area of approximately 41,849 hectares.

The Leuser Ecosystem is globally unique as the only place on Earth where four critically endangered megafauna coexist: the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii), the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), the Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), and the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). Beyond these flagship species, the ecosystem is home to over 130 species of mammals, more than 300 bird species, and hundreds of plant species. Its ecological services extend far beyond biodiversity: Leuser provides clean water and fresh air for millions of people living in and around the landscape.

However, this critical ecosystem faces escalating threats. Oil palm plantation expansion, driven by increasing land demand, remains the single greatest threat, accelerating forest cover loss and pushing iconic Sumatran species closer to extinction. Habitat fragmentation caused by land conversion disrupts wildlife movement, intensifies human–wildlife conflict, and undermines ecosystem stability. Meanwhile, climate change compounds these risks, bringing more frequent extreme weather events and natural disasters.

Livelihoods in the landscape are largely tied to natural resources. The majority of the population works in agriculture and plantations (40%), followed by farm laborers (33%), services (18%), and trade and transport (9%). This strong dependence on land and forests makes communities both beneficiaries of, and vulnerable to, ecological change.

From a governance perspective, the Leuser Ecosystem—spanning multiple administrative boundaries—falls under the management of the Aceh Provincial Government in coordination with the Aceh Singkil Regency Government and the national Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Managing the Rawa Singkil Peat Swamp Forest requires cross-sectoral and multi-level governance, balancing local livelihoods, economic pressures, and conservation priorities.

Strengthening governance in Leuser means safeguarding not only a critical biodiversity hotspot of global importance, but also ensuring that the ecosystem continues to provide life-sustaining services for local communities and future generations.