AIR MATA GAMBUT I Film Dokumenter I Documentary Film I

Summary

This video highlights the challenges faced by the Dayak Ngaju community, whose traditional lifestyle is deeply intertwined with the forests and peatlands along the Kapuas River. The introduction of large-scale land development projects, such as the 1 million-hectare peatland development (PLG) in the late '90s, resulted in widespread deforestation, environmental damage, and displacement. While rehabilitation projects like the Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership (KFC) aim to restore the environment, local communities struggle with limited resources and lack of economic opportunities. Despite these hardships, the Dayak Ngaju are revitalizing their traditional industries, such as rattan and rubber cultivation, to sustain their livelihoods while advocating for recognition of their land and resource rights.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Dayak Ngaju people have traditionally lived in the peat forests along the Kapuas River, sustainably utilizing natural resources for their livelihood.
• 😀 The development of the 'Sejuta Hektar' peatland project (PLG) in the 1990s led to significant environmental damage, including deforestation and peatland degradation.
• 😀 The construction of a 187 km canal system in the PLG area increased flood risks during the rainy season and made the peatland more susceptible to fires during the dry season.
• 😀 Despite the initial expectations of economic benefits from the PLG, it caused ecological disasters and disrupted the local communities' livelihoods.
• 😀 After the failure of the PLG project, the government focused on rehabilitating the damaged land, but this conservation initiative has led to increased tension and restricted local people's access to land and resources.
• 😀 Local communities, who once had various employment opportunities, now face increased poverty due to conservation projects restricting their economic activities.
• 😀 Reports from Yayasan Petak Danum and Sawit Watch in 2006 highlighted that several palm oil companies had obtained permits for plantations on ex-PLG land, further exploiting the land and polluting the local environment.
• 😀 A 2008 agreement between Indonesia and Australia led to the Kalimantan Forests Climate Partnership (KFCP), focusing on forest conservation and reforestation in the ex-PLG areas.
• 😀 Local communities expressed concerns over the KFCP’s approach, requesting that the project consider their needs, such as providing rubber tree seedlings for replanting, to improve their economic situation.
• 😀 Despite setbacks, local communities are revitalizing traditional industries such as rattan and rubber cultivation, and collaborating on initiatives to strengthen local economies through better resource management and craft production.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Kapuas River area for the Dayak Ngaju people?

The Kapuas River area is significant for the Dayak Ngaju people as it has been their home for generations. They have relied on the peatlands for their livelihoods, utilizing its resources sustainably through activities such as rubber and rattan farming, rice cultivation, fishing, and hunting.

How did the implementation of the PLG (Peatland Development Project) impact the environment?

The PLG project, which aimed to develop 1 million hectares of peatland, led to environmental damage, including deforestation, peatland degradation, and the creation of canals. These canals caused flooding during the rainy season and increased the risk of fires during the dry season, leading to loss of tropical rainforest and land degradation.

What were the consequences of the PLG project on local communities?

The PLG project caused the displacement of local communities and disrupted their livelihoods. It also led to increased poverty as the opening of land for plantations resulted in fewer resources for the people who depended on the peatlands for their agriculture and hunting.

What is the government's response to the environmental damage caused by PLG?

The government has initiated rehabilitation and recovery efforts to restore the degraded peatlands. These efforts aim to address the environmental damage caused by the PLG project and to mitigate the risks of carbon emissions from peatland destruction.

What concerns do local communities have regarding conservation initiatives like the KFC (Kalimantan Forests Climate Partnership)?

Local communities are concerned that conservation initiatives, such as the KFC project, further limit their access to land and resources, reducing their ability to earn a living. They also fear that these projects might impose restrictions on their traditional rights over the land without adequate consultation or compensation.

What was the focus of the KFC project, and how was it received by the communities?

The KFC project, a collaboration between Indonesia and Australia, focused on forest conservation and the restoration of degraded lands. While it aimed to rehabilitate the environment, local communities were skeptical, as the project did not address their economic needs or land rights, leading to resistance from them.

How did the introduction of oil palm companies in the former PLG area affect the local communities?

The entry of oil palm companies into the former PLG area led to land conflicts. These companies obtained permits to cultivate palm oil on 300,000 hectares of land, which the local communities felt was unjust, as they were not consulted and the companies had polluted local water sources and taken control of the land.

What was the response of the local communities to the encroachment of oil palm plantations?

Local communities expressed strong resistance to the oil palm plantations, accusing the companies of land theft. They also called for more community control over the land and requested compensation for the loss of their resources.

How have the Dayak Ngaju people responded to the decline in traditional livelihoods?

Despite the challenges, the Dayak Ngaju people have not given up. They have revitalized traditional industries like rattan and rubber farming to improve their economic situation. Additionally, there has been community-driven training and support to enhance the quality of rattan products and expand markets.

What role does community-based mapping play in securing land rights for local populations?

Community-based mapping helps local populations secure their land rights by creating legal and recognized documents that delineate their territories. This initiative allows them to engage in negotiations with external entities, such as businesses and government bodies, to protect their land from exploitation and conflicts.