28 August 2025
In the forests of Obi Island, North Maluku, including former mine sites restored by Harita Nickel, Niksen Tindatu now walks with a new purpose. Once he hunted cuscuses and birds; today he protects their freedom in the wild.
A native of Tobelo, Niksen joined Harita Nickel in 2016 as part of the planting and garden maintenance crew in the Human Resources & General Affairs (HRGA) Department of PT Megah Surya Pertiwi, a business unit of Harita Nickel. Two years later, he moved to the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Department, a small step that sparked a life-changing transformation.
“Before joining Harita Nickel, I hunted for food to sell, so my family could survive. I didn’t know those animals were protected,” Niksen recalls.
Working with the Environment team changed his perspective. The forest was no longer just a hunting ground, it became a sanctuary for endangered species. The change was not instant; Niksen faced inner struggles every time he released an animal he had caught.
According to Agung Sunardi Munim, HSE Supervisor at Harita Nickel, Niksen’s hunting background turned out to be an asset. “He knows exactly where the animals are. At first, it was hard for him to let them go, but now he is at the forefront of the fight against wildlife poaching,” he said.
Today, Niksen has not only given up hunting but also actively monitors the Obi cuscus (Phalanger rothschildi) and sailfin lizard (Hydrosaurus weberi), two endemic species found only on the island.
His transformation mirrors Harita Nickel’s broader efforts to protect biodiversity, through regular monitoring, habitat restoration, and community education. Since the second quarter of 2025, the conservation team has been delivering wildlife preservation lessons to students in Kawasi and Soligi villages. To date, 90 kindergarten and elementary school students have learned about the animals in their surroundings.
Sephy Noerfahmy, Conservation Superintendent at Harita Nickel, emphasizes the role of education. “Niksen’s story proves that knowledge can turn a hunter into a protector,” she said.
Now, when Niksen enters the forest, he carries a torch and a notebook—not a rifle. He looks for signs of the very creatures he once pursued, ensuring they remain. For Niksen, within every thick branch and whisper of the night lies Obi Island’s future—one he hopes to pass on, alive and whole, to generations to come.
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