JAKARTA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia, through its state-owned construction company PT Waskita Karya, is building a fauna bridge along a toll section in its new capital city, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan. The bridge will serve as a crossing for endemic Kalimantan wildlife, including clouded leopards, proboscis monkeys, sun bears, and orangutans.
The company's Corporate Secretary, Ermy Puspa Yunita, said on Friday that the 8.16-meter-long bridge is being constructed along the IKN Toll Section 3B Kariangau-Simpang Tempadung Segment. The location intersects with the protected forest of the Wein River.
"This bridge connects one hill to another. It is built to facilitate the movement of animals inhabiting the protected forest of the Wein River," Yunita said in a written statement, as quoted by local media.
According to her, the fauna bridge consists of two tunnel-shaped tracks filled with soil, and the company is using lightweight fill or foam mortar as a substitute for traditional soil fill.
"The construction must align with the animals' habitat so they can cross without being disturbed by the highway below," Yunita explained.
She added that the project reflects the company's commitment to preserving ecosystems and the environment while developing infrastructure, ensuring a balance between nature and human development for the comfort of all living beings. ■
