Proposals to buy Jersey-shaped patch of land in Borneo

Tuesday 03 March 2020

Politicians are looking at buying up a piece of land in the Borneo rainforest the size and shape of Jersey to help the environment in a ‘tangible’ way, while bolstering the island’s brand.

The suggestion came from Deputy Russell Labey, who is a member of the Island Identity Policy Development Board.

Led by Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey, the group is working with business and heritage leaders on ideas on shaping the perception of Jersey both locally and globally.

Pictured: Some parts of the Borneo rainforest, which is home to the orangutan, have been devastated by deforestation.

Commenting at the beginning of a debate on climate change policy last week, Deputy Russell Labey explained that one way of achieving the latter would be to buy up a piece of land the size – and, if possible, shape – of Jersey in the Borneo lowland rainforest to reflect the island’s commitment to conservation and help in a practical way.

The Southeast Asian rainforest supports approximately 15,000 plant species, nearly 400 bird species, and several mammals – including the endangered and iconic orangutan – but is rapidly diminishing due to the threat of industrial deforestation.

Explaining his proposals to help, Deputy Labey said: “It would make a significant improvement in the chances of the survival of the orangutan, which we are very sympathetic to in Jersey because of course of them being at the Jersey Zoo.” 

Pictured: Deputy Russell Labey, who shared the idea at the most recent States Assembly meeting.

He added that the initiative could also provide a boost to the Channel Islands Christmas Lottery, whose operations are currently under review after ticket sales fell 10% last year. 

“…It wouldn’t just be government money we could get the people involved with this. Stick an orangutan on the front of every Christmas Lottery ticket and watch the sales go up because it’s something that people care about and it’s tangible… It’s very very important and I’m making that idea public and I’m hoping somebody might run with it,” Deputy Labey said.

The Island Identity Board has had six meetings since being set up involving presentations from stakeholders ranging from Visit Jersey and ArtHouse Jersey to brand advisers, and even former External Relations Minister Sir Philip Bailhache.

Pictured: Deputy Labey said the idea could also help falling lottery ticket sales.

Discussions have so far included consideration of a Jersey identity podcast, featuring interviews with local figures and local music, and a way of helping Jersey schoolchildren each learn the history of their parish saint.

In December, Jersey-born ‘Storybeast’ John Henry Falle was invited to present his ‘Entire history of Jersey in 10 Minutes or Less – A Poem’, as well as contributing his thoughts on how to better celebrate Jersey's heritage.

The Board heard that ArtHouse Jersey is hoping to turn his poem into an educational animation in the hope of helping it reach as wide an audience as possible.