Jambi forest dwellers fight loggers
Jambi forest dwellers fight loggers
Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor
"My God, where can we settle and make a living with our forest
gone?" Women and children in the interior of Mangkekal (Makekal),
Bukit Duabelas National Park (TNBD), Jambi province, cry out and
complain every time they see illegal logging occurring in their
area.
Forest people, members of the local Anak Dalam tribe, have
been struggling to protect the TNBD forest zone from illegal
logging operations. "Adults as well as children are struggling
for the conservation of this forest," said tribal chief
Tumenggung (regent) Mirak.
The national park zone covers an area of around 60,000
hectares and is home to some 1,500 Anak Dalam tribesmen scattered
over seven areas including Mangkekal, Kedasung, Air Hitam and
Terap.
In his capacity as Tumenggung for 20 years, Mirak heads the
largest group of 550 people in Mangkekal. "We need government
assistance to overcome forest theft and farm clearance as we
can't do it alone," he urged.
Up to now forest people have protected the forests by building
fences like those found in plantations, meant as a physical
barriers to the entry of outsiders.
To meet the food needs of his family, comprising two wives, 12
children and 30 grandchildren, Mirak relies solely on the forest.
"Fruit and paddy are still sufficiently available. What we
fear is uncontrolled illegal logging that will deplete resources
and cause food scarcity," he added.
The key wisdom of forest dwellers is to never fell trees
indiscriminately. Even if they need firewood, only broken twigs
are collected. Rivers are never fouled; they keep waterways and
streams clean for drinking, bathing and washing.
It is difficult to prevent looting, however.
"Illegal loggers are stubborn and hard to overcome with the
law in our tribe. Our ancestors handed down a law that says
anyone caught stealing wood must pay a fine in the form of 500
sheets of cloth. But the point is actually to prevent trees being
felled. Outsiders do not obey our law," he lamented.
Rampant forestry theft has been the major concern for Mirak's
people during his 20 years as regent of Mangkekal. Many forest
plants like gaharu (fragrant aloes) and resin trees have been cut
down. Sadly, when logging is carried out, smaller plants and
fruit-bearing vegetation is often crushed by falling trunks.
The existence of jerenang trees is especially important to the
zone's community because its gum is used to color local plaitwork
handicrafts. Meanwhile, random tree felling also causes pollution
in rivers, with the water causing itchiness after bathing in it.
Tribespeople have repeatedly fought logging to protect their
forest, with women and children often bursting into tears when
they see parts of their jungle destroyed because it has made
their lives materially and spiritually poorer.
Pengendum, one of Mirak's grandchildren, has twice been beaten
up by illegal loggers as he tried to stop their activity. Almost
every week, at least seven trucks carrying chainsaws enter
Mangkekal to fell trees, mostly during the rainy season, with the
logs being transported along the river system.
"I have often been to towns and I have felt the urban
atmosphere and is not as comfortable or tranquil as the forest.
Town people perhaps feel the same when they have to stay in the
woods. So I hope outsiders will not damage the forest, because
this is our home. We may become very angry if our homes and
environment are destroyed, just as they would be furious if we
damaged their homes," said Pengendum.