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| Dr. Masiun’s research revealed that the total economic value of Taman Sunsong’s customary lands amounts to an impressive Rp 1,155,750,223,212. Doc. Masiun. |
The Dayak Research Center (DRC) - SEKADAU: Dr. Stefanus Masiun, an environmental economics expert and the Rector of the Keling Kumang Institute of Technology in Sekadau, West Kalimantan, recently published his groundbreaking research on the strategic value of Taman Sunsong's customary lands.
Masiun emphasized that the significance of these lands goes far beyond their natural resources, reflecting cultural heritage, identity, and sustainable practices handed down through generations.
“Never allow our customary forests to be sold,” Dr. Masiun firmly stated. “The value of customary lands isn’t just about numbers—it’s about preserving a legacy that sustains communities and secures their future.”
Unlocking the Potential of Taman Sunsong’s Customary Lands
The customary lands of Taman Sunsong span areas like Sakatiga, Sunsong, Bungkong, and Nate Lalang. For centuries, these lands have been the lifeblood of the Dayak communities, offering essential resources such as food, medicinal plants, and construction materials. They also serve as vital spaces for cultural rituals and traditions.
Dr. Masiun’s research revealed that the total economic value of Taman Sunsong’s customary lands amounts to an impressive Rp 1,155,750,223,212. This figure highlights the immense wealth derived from traditional, wisdom-based management and underscores the importance of conserving both the environment and the rights of indigenous communities.
Customary Forests: More Than an Economic Resource
For the Dayak people of Taman Sunsong, their customary forests are more than a source of economic sustenance—they are the essence of their cultural identity. Every aspect of the forest plays a critical role, whether as a resource for survival or as a sacred space that preserves ancestral traditions.
For thousands of years, the local communities have managed these lands with deep respect for ecological balance. Their sustainable practices ensure that natural resources are used wisely, safeguarding the forest’s future for generations to come.
Legal Recognition: A Crucial Step Forward
Dr. Masiun stressed the need for formal recognition of Taman Sunsong’s customary lands by the government. Such recognition is vital to protecting these lands and forests from exploitation while ensuring the community’s rights are legally upheld.
“State recognition is the cornerstone for indigenous communities to continue preserving their forests,” he explained. “It’s also the key to striking a balance between development and environmental conservation.”
Lessons from Taman Sunsong
Dr. Masiun’s findings offer a powerful reminder of the importance of customary lands—not just for local communities but also for the broader conversation on sustainability. These lands hold more than economic value; they embody cultural wisdom and a tangible contribution to global ecological stability.
Read Establishing Dayak Academic Identity Through the Transition from Citing to Being Cited
The Dayak people of Taman Sunsong have shown that they are not only stewards of the forest but also practitioners of sustainable resource use. Their example serves as an inspiration for Indonesia and beyond, highlighting the need to respect, protect, and recognize indigenous rights as an essential part of equitable and sustainable natural resource management.
The Dayak Dilemma: Guardians of the Forest, Strangers on Their Own Land
For generations, the Dayak people—who have inherited vast tracts of ancestral land—have used fruit-bearing trees as natural markers to establish boundaries on their inherited property. These trees serve as living symbols of ownership, passed down from their ancestors. However, outsiders often fail to recognize these traditional land markers, leading to misunderstandings, encroachment, and disputes over rightful ownership.
The Dayak have long understood the ecological and economic value of the forest. To them, the forest is not merely a resource to be exploited but an inseparable part of their identity and existence. Their relationship with nature is deeply rooted in a cultural and spiritual bond that has guided them in preserving the balance of the ecosystem for centuries. The forest provides them with sustenance, medicine, and materials for their daily lives, and in return, they nurture and protect it as a sacred trust.
Despite this deep connection, outsiders have repeatedly exploited the forests without regard for sustainability. Large-scale deforestation, illegal logging, and destructive mining operations have stripped the land of its natural wealth, while palm oil plantations continue to expand at an alarming rate, further degrading the environment. Ironically, when the Dayak people responsibly harvest timber from their own ancestral land—something they have done sustainably for generations—they are criminalized and prosecuted by security forces.
Read The Future of Dayak Farming: Preserving Tradition in a Digital Age
Where is justice in this? Where is fairness? How is it that the Dayak, the rightful stewards of the land, are treated as trespassers and thieves in their own homeland? The laws meant to protect the environment seem to serve only the interests of corporations and outsiders, while indigenous communities suffer from displacement and marginalization.
The question remains: when will the world recognize the Dayak people’s rightful place as guardians of their land, rather than as criminals on what has always been theirs?
-- Masri Sareb Putra, M.A.
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