PALMOILMAGAZINE, SEKADAU – A significant step in environmental conservation was achieved with the declaration of a Customary Forest in Nanga Pemubuh Village, Sekadau Hulu District, Sekadau Regency, West Kalimantan. The declaration, signed by Sekadau Regent Aron, officially recognizes the rights of Indigenous Communities in forest management.
The 268-hectare Rimba Kobar Customary Forest is the result of collaboration between Nanga Pemubuh Village Government, Sekadau Regency Government, the Sekadau Palm Oil Farmers’ Union (SPKS), Indigenous Communities, and Kaoem Telapak. This recognition supports conservation efforts, climate change mitigation, and the preservation of natural resources for the Dayak Kerabat and Dayak Benawas communities.
Regent Aron emphasized that recognizing Rimba Kobar Customary Forest is a milestone in environmental preservation and community welfare. “This adds to Sekadau’s success in protecting forests. Moving forward, we will continue supporting similar initiatives to conserve more forest areas for the benefit of local communities,” he stated in an official release received by Palmoilmagazine.com on Wednesday (March 5, 2025).
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For Indigenous Communities, Customary Forests, or ‘Tembawang,’ hold both ecological and economic value. Rimba Kobar is rich in non-timber forest products (NTFPs), including cempedak, petai, ‘buah mak’ (sapodilla), kedondong, rambutan, medicinal plants, and natural spices. Additionally, the forest serves as a “water fortress”, ensuring clean water supply for the village. Without it, nearby rivers risk pollution and depletion.
Nanga Pemubuh Village Head, Lorensius Leli, highlighted the importance of preserving the forest for future generations. “By designating this as a Customary Forest, we honor our ancestors’ legacy to protect it and prevent its conversion into oil palm plantations. Keeping this forest intact also contributes to saving the planet, as forests are the lungs of the Earth,” he stated.
The SPKS Sekadau and Kaoem Telapak played a crucial role in this declaration, assisting with territorial mapping, social dialogue, and drafting village regulations to serve as the legal basis for Customary Forest recognition. SPKS Sekadau Chairperson, Mohtar, affirmed that palm oil farmers are committed to forest conservation. “As palm oil farmers and part of the Indigenous Community, we want to protect our ancestral heritage. The recognition of this Customary Forest proves that farmers can actively contribute to environmental sustainability,” he said.
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Kaoem Telapak President, Mardi Minangsari, hopes this success inspires other regions to recognize and protect Customary Forests. “We will continue advocating for Indigenous Communities’ rights in forest management to ensure environmental sustainability for future generations,” she stated.
The Rimba Kobar Customary Forest Declaration stands as a model of synergy between the government, Indigenous Communities, and environmental organizations, demonstrating a unified commitment to ecosystem protection and sustainable development. (P2)
