PASIH is currently working in collaboration with Institut Pertanian Bogor ( The Agricultural Insitut of Bogor, or IPB) and Primate Deutsche Zentrum ( The German Primate Centre or DPZ) of the University of Goettingen, Germany to manage the ‘Siberut Conservation Programme’ (SCP). SCP (www.siberut.org) is a joint program that combines the expertise and research of  DPZ  and IPB and community-based conservation. The goal of SCP is to develop research on biodiversity and socio-economic development of society. The intended outcomes of this programme is the conservation of tropical rain forests of Siberut island and whilst contributing to the conservation of biodiversity across the Mentawai Islands.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on August 10, 2010 between PASIH and IPB, PASIH has been involved in the management of this programme in the field. PASIH’s main task is to manage and provide logistical support for SCP research stations in Pungut and to manage community activities in the hamlet of Politcioman. PASIH has also contributed to strengthened cooperation between the SCP and key stakeholders in Siberut, such as the Siberut National Park, NGOs and local governments Mentawai Islands.

For the initial stage, PASIH worked with SCP until 10 December 2010. After an evaluation at the end of November 2010, PASIH has extended this partnership until March 2011. So far, the involvement of PASIH in the management of the SCP programme has proven to be beneficial. IPB and DPZ have both suggested a more permanent arrangement for cooperation. However, for the time being PASIH has opted for cooperation schemes of short duration in order to build on the initial learning and assessment. PASIH will consider a more permanent arrangement after a thorough evaluation of PASIH’s performance and the performance of the SCP during the period up until March 2011.

Before engaging in longer-term cooperation, PASIH will conduct an assessment of the SCP program in March-April 2010. The assessment will analyze the strengths, weaknesses, challenges and opportunities in the future of the SCP. This assessment will help identify the way in which PAISH will be best able to make the most significant contribution to the goals of SCP.