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.