Biodiversity protection is inseparable from the role of indigenous and local communities, who have long been an integral part of the ecosystem in their ancestral lands. Biodiversity monitoring practices have, in fact, been carried out by indigenous communities.
At the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) of the CBD on Biodiversity, held in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024, representatives from the indigenous communities of Kalimantan also participated. They shared their experiences in biodiversity monitoring practices within their traditional territories with the global community.
As the third-largest island in the world, Kalimantan is home to at least 15,000 plant species, 288 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 150 reptile and amphibian species, making it a vital region where diverse cultures meet and biodiversity flourishes.
“All Indigenous Peoples communities in Indonesia must continue to protect and manage the forests and their resources. It’s better to protect our springs than to shed tears over their loss,” said Raymundus Remang, Head of Batu Lintang Village/Chairman of Gerempong Menuajudan – Sungai Utik.
Darius Doni, a youth from the third generation of the Ketemenggungan Iban Jalai Lintang community and a regional board member of Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance of Nusantara (AMAN) Kapuas Hulu, emphasized, “Indigenous youth must take a more active role in protecting and managing our customary territories. This is our inheritance from our ancestors, and it’s essential for building a better future.”
Kapuas Hulu is one of the most remarkable landscapes in the heart of Kalimantan, known for its unparalleled biodiversity. The lush tropical rainforest here serves as a vital refuge for many species, including the critically endangered helmeted hornbill and seven other hornbill species, orangutans, and millions of other creatures that call this forest home.
Indigenous People’s practices in biodiversity conservation are deeply rooted in a cosmic relationship with nature. For generations, Indigenous Peoples have successfully managed ecosystems sustainably, as all the needs to support their livelihoods are met by nature.
In addition to the Ketemenggungan Iban Jalai Lintang Indigenous Peoples Community, the Dayak Punan Tugung Indigenous Community in Bulungan Regency, North Kalimantan, also exemplifies this commitment. Despite their customary territory being entirely within a company’s concession area and classified as forest zone, the Dayak Punan Tugung Indigenous Peoples Community continues to protect the biodiversity in their customary territory.
Rahmat Sulaiman from the Participatory Mapping Network (JKPP) expressed concern about the Dayak Punan Tugung Indigenous Community customary territory, stating, “The entire area is within the logging concession of PT. Intracawood, affecting both its production and protection function. There is a striking contrast in forest management between the corporation and the Indigenous Peoples, demonstrating how the Dayak Punan Tugung Indigenous Peoples can maintain the integrity of their customary forest.”
