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No need to teach the Dayak people about conservation—they have lived in harmony with and depended on the universe for thousands of years. A view of Dayak forests in the Krayan region, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan. Photo credit: Masri Sareb Putra. |
TARAKAN - The Dayak Research Center (DRC) : The definition of a forest under Indonesia's Forestry Law No. 41/1999, Article 1, Clause 2, describes it as "a unified ecosystem comprising land areas filled with biological natural resources dominated by trees, which are interconnected and cannot be separated."
Pasal 1 ayat UU 2 No. 41/1999:
"Hutan adalah suatu kesatuan ekosistem berupa hamparan lahan berisi sumberdaya alam hayati yang didominasi pepohonan dalam persekutuan alam lingkungannya, yang satu dengan lainnya tidak dapat dipisahkan."
This legal definition portrays forests as ecological systems with intrinsic value, yet it largely misses the cultural and spiritual dimensions that the Dayak people of Borneo attribute to forests. For the Dayak, forests are not just ecosystems; they are living legacies of their ancestors, deeply intertwined with their identity, survival, and worldview.
Forests as a Cultural and Spiritual Legacy
In the worldview of the Dayak people, forests are sacred spaces passed down through countless generations, forming an intrinsic part of their culture and way of life. They are seen as the dwelling places of ancestral spirits, sources of sustenance, and symbols of the interconnectedness of all life. Unlike the Western conception of forests as separate from human activity, the Dayak people see forests as inseparable from their existence.
This perspective stems from a belief in nature as a holistic entity, where every component of the forest—trees, rivers, animals, and soil—is interconnected. The Dayak maintain the principle of custodianship, where forests are managed responsibly for the benefit of future generations. For example, certain areas of the forest may be designated as sacred groves or restricted zones, preserved for spiritual ceremonies or to maintain ecological balance. This practice underscores the Dayak’s deep understanding of sustainability, developed long before modern conservation theories.
Contrasting Perspectives: Industrial Forestry and Dayak Philosophy
The modern forestry industry often treats forests as commodities, focusing on maximizing economic output through timber extraction, monoculture plantations, or single-use cycles. The one-cycle approach (short-term forestry) exemplifies this, allowing forests to be harvested in a single productive period without comprehensive plans for regeneration or preservation. This industrial mindset clashes with the Dayak philosophy, which views forests as perpetual entities that must be nurtured and protected.
For example, when forests are converted to oil palm plantations, the Dayak lose not only the land but also the cultural and spiritual significance attached to it. The monocultural nature of oil palm plantations eradicates biodiversity and disrupts the ecological harmony that the Dayak have preserved for centuries. Moreover, policies that recognize oil palm as part of forestry without integrating Dayak wisdom result in ecological degradation and marginalization of indigenous communities.
Understanding the Dayak Concept of Nature
For the Dayak, nature is not a resource to be dominated but a partner in life. The forest provides not just material resources—food, medicine, and shelter—but also intangible values such as wisdom, identity, and harmony. This relationship is evident in their traditions, where knowledge of medicinal plants, techniques for sustainable farming, and methods of conserving water sources are passed down orally.
Their practices align closely with modern ecological principles. For instance:
- Agroforestry systems practiced by the Dayak combine agriculture with tree conservation, creating sustainable landscapes.
- Tumpang sari (intercropping) ensures that no single crop dominates, preserving soil fertility and biodiversity.
- Hutan adat (customary forests) are managed collectively, ensuring shared responsibility and equitable distribution of resources.
The Dayak's view of forests as sacred, living entities contrasts sharply with the industrial model that prioritizes profit over preservation.
Policy Discrimination and Global Perceptions
Despite their sustainable practices, Dayak communities face systemic challenges. International and domestic policies often discriminate against oil palm plantations by excluding them from multi-forestry frameworks. Ironically, while promoting sustainable forestry practices, these policies fail to include oil palm—a crop that could be integrated into sustainable systems with proper management.
This exclusion highlights a broader issue: the failure to recognize indigenous knowledge as a legitimate framework for managing natural resources. The Dayak's harmonious relationship with forests offers valuable lessons in sustainability that should inform contemporary policies.
Landscape-Based Approaches: A Path to Coexistence
To reconcile the conflicting needs of conservation and economic development, a landscape-based approach offers a viable solution. This approach focuses on spatial planning and integration, ensuring that forests, agricultural lands, and human settlements coexist within a balanced ecosystem. Key elements of this approach include:
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Spatial Planning for Ecological Balance
Land use planning must incorporate zones for conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community use. This ensures that critical habitats and biodiversity are preserved while providing economic opportunities for local communities. -
Conservation within Agricultural Systems
Oil palm plantations can adopt conservation practices, such as maintaining buffer zones, reforesting degraded areas, and promoting agroforestry. These measures preserve biodiversity and ensure ecological resilience. -
Recognition of Customary Rights
The inclusion of hutan adat (customary forests) in formal policies is crucial. Empowering Dayak communities to manage their ancestral lands using traditional practices ensures sustainability and aligns with global conservation goals.
The Forest Through Dayak Eyes
The forest, as seen by the Dayak, is a sacred space inherited from their ancestors, embodying the wisdom and practices passed down through generations. In areas like Krayan, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan, the Dayak forests are living testimonies to sustainable management, untouched by industrial exploitation. These forests are managed with deep respect, embodying principles of balance and interconnectedness that modern policies often overlook.
Rather than being taught conservation, the Dayak have lived conservation for millennia. Their practices are not based on external theories but on a profound understanding of natural cycles and an unbroken relationship with their environment.
Challenges of Modern Forestry Policies
Modern forestry policies often fail to acknowledge or integrate the traditional wisdom of communities like the Dayak. The one-cycle approach in forestry, which permits forests to be utilized for a single productive period, is alien to the Dayak philosophy. Such policies reduce forests to economic resources, neglecting their cultural and spiritual significance.
Moreover, the debate over whether oil palm plantations can be classified as forests introduces another layer of complexity. Recognizing oil palm as part of forestry undermines the biodiversity and cultural heritage of traditional forests. While oil palm may have economic value, it cannot replace the ecological and cultural wealth of ancestral forests.
The challenge lies in bridging the gap between the Dayak's ancestral wisdom and the demands of modern forestry policies. By integrating Dayak concepts of nature into contemporary approaches, policymakers can create systems that respect cultural heritage while addressing economic and ecological needs.
The Dayak philosophy of interconnectedness and sustainability offers a timeless model for managing forests. Recognizing their role as custodians of the land, rather than marginalizing them, will not only preserve the forests of Borneo but also honor the legacy of one of the world's most resilient indigenous cultures.
A Call for Recognition
Acknowledging the Dayak as custodians of their ancestral lands is essential. Their forests, like those in Krayan, stand as evidence of sustainable coexistence with nature.
Dayak wisdom offers insights into living harmoniously with the natural world—a perspective that modern forestry policies could benefit from if they move beyond economic exploitation toward sustainability and inclusivity.
-- Masri Sareb Putra
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