Kubu tribe marginalized on their own soil<\/p>\n
Jon Afrizal, Jambi<\/p>\n
About 1,300 people from the Kubu tribe living in Bukit Duabelas
\nNational Park, Jambi, are being marginalized as a result of
\nserious damage to the protected forest.<\/p>\n
The need to earn a living has forced some members of the tribe
\nto participate in illegal logging, which has contributed greatly
\nto rapid deforestation in the park.<\/p>\n
\"They work as guides, porters or loggers. Those experiencing
\nthe harshest conditions in the park are forced to become involved
\nin illegal logging,\" Environmental Information Group (Warsi)
\nactivist Robert Aritonang told The Jakarta Post recently.<\/p>\n
Chronic poverty among members of the Kubu tribe has changed
\ntheir habits. They are also referred to as the Anak Dalam tribe,
\nand were known previously for respecting the environment.<\/p>\n
\"For a long time, the Kubu tribe was known for its habit of
\nrespecting trees in the forest. They consider trees to be the
\nhome of the Gods,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Robert said, however, continuous forest destruction due to
\nillegal logging had marginalized the Kubu tribe. Illegal logging
\nhad depleted natural resources in the forests, including animals
\nand plants that used to be a food source for tribe members.<\/p>\n
Logging has also opened up the forests, forcing tribe members
\nto mingle with strangers from the town and with suburban people,
\nwho brought with them modern lifestyles.<\/p>\n
The combination of the two factors has forced members of the
\ntribe to become involved in illegal logging as a source of money
\nto meet their basic living demands and, for some, to catch up
\nwith modernity. The latter includes the purchase of electronic
\nequipment and \"modern\" clothes.<\/p>\n
However, there is also another economic reason behind the
\ninvolvement of some members of the Kubu tribe in illegal logging.
\nRobert said Kubu tribespeople had become involved in logging
\nbecause of their close relations with traditional buyers, known
\nas jenang waris or tauke.<\/p>\n
\"In the past, Kubu tribespeople collected forest products,
\nsuch as rattan and honey, and sold them to traditional buyers,\"
\nRobert said.<\/p>\n
He said the Kubu tribe was very dependent on its traditional
\nbuyers, who often helped the indigenous people, such as by giving
\nthem staple foods when the tribe was unable to collect forest
\nproducts. Due to a decrease in the supply of forest products,
\nRobert said, the jenang waris were currently asking the tribe to
\nparticipate in illegal logging, and bought the logs from them.<\/p>\n
\"The Kubu tribe does not feel able to resist orders from the
\njenang waris. They are scared of alienating traditional buyers
\nbecause they are very dependent on them,\" he said. He added the
\nbuyers worked in partnership with people from outside the
\nnational park, who had a huge amount of capital to buy logs.<\/p>\n
Robert said some groups within the Kubu tribe, who did not
\nparticipate in illegal logging, often became involved in
\nconflicts with those of their friends who did.<\/p>\n
\"The groups often try to prevent people from destroying \"the
\nhomes of their Gods\", but are unable to defeat illegal loggers,
\nwho are supported by many, including outsiders,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said the increase in illegal logging had caused a marked
\ndecline in the number of trees in the area, of which only 65
\npercent were left in the 60,500-hectare forest.<\/p>\n
Illegal logging continues totally unchecked due to the absence
\nof security officers in the protected forest.<\/p>\n
\"The government should pay serious attention to the matter,\"
\nsaid Robert, adding that it had to protect both the forests and
\nthe Kubu tribe.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kubu-tribe-marginalized-on-their-own-soil-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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