Jakarta – COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Indigenous Peoples from Kalimantan, Indonesia, highlight their enduring role in biodiversity monitoring and conservation within their customary lands, Madani Foundation said in a statement on Wednesday, October 30. At the conference, Indigenous leaders shared their ancestral knowledge and conservation strategies, underscoring the inseparable link between biodiversity protection and Indigenous and local communities.
Kalimantan, the world’s third-largest island, boasts remarkable biodiversity with over 15,000 plant species, 288 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 150 reptile and amphibian species. This biodiversity hotspot is also home to diverse Indigenous communities that have long upheld sustainable practices to protect the natural world. During a side event at COP16, representatives from the Ketemenggungan Iban Jalai Lintang community in West Kalimantan shared their centuries-old tradition of biodiversity stewardship.
Raymundus Remang, Head of Batu Lintang Village and Chairman of Gerempong Menuajudan – Sungai Utik, emphasised the importance of Indigenous guardianship, stating, “All Indigenous Peoples communities in Indonesia must continue to protect and manage the forests and their resources. It’s better to protect our springs than to shed tears over their loss.”
Darius Doni, a youth leader from the same community and a regional board member of the Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance of Nusantara (AMAN) in Kapuas Hulu, highlighted the critical role of Indigenous youth in conservation efforts. “This is our inheritance from our ancestors, and it’s essential for building a better future,” he said, calling for a more active role among young people in preserving customary lands.
Kapuas Hulu, one of Kalimantan’s richest landscapes, is a sanctuary for numerous species, including the critically endangered helmeted hornbill, orangutans, and other diverse wildlife. Indigenous Peoples’ conservation efforts in this region are deeply rooted in a cosmic relationship with nature, driven by an understanding that forests sustain their lives and livelihoods.
Despite challenges, the Dayak Punan Tugung community in North Kalimantan’s Bulungan Regency exemplifies the dedication to biodiversity protection. The Dayak Punan Tugung customary lands, falling within a company’s concession area, face conflicting management practices threatening ecosystem health. Rahmat Sulaiman of the Participatory Mapping Network (JKPP) noted, “There is a striking contrast in forest management between the corporation and the Indigenous Peoples, demonstrating how the Dayak Punan Tugung Indigenous Peoples can maintain the integrity of their customary forest.”
The Indigenous commitment to conservation goes beyond ecosystem health, with valuable contributions to ethnobotany and natural medicine. Nurhayati, a Dayak Punan Tugung community representative, shared knowledge of traditional medicines derived from the forest, including plants used to treat fevers and as antidotes. “The forest is like a free supermarket and pharmacy for us,” she explained, underscoring the irreplaceable bond between Indigenous Peoples and their customary forests.
Despite their crucial role in conserving biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples receive minimal formal recognition. PADI Indonesia and JKPP data show that in North Kalimantan, only 19 Indigenous communities have been officially recognized, limited to the regencies of Malinau, Nunukan, and Bulungan, despite many more communities.
Among Executive Director of PADI Indonesia highlighted the need for global recognition and support: “Indigenous Peoples communities are not the cause of biodiversity loss and climate change; rather, they are the frontline defenders.” He emphasised that formal acknowledgement of Indigenous rights and territories is essential for sustaining biodiversity conservation efforts.
At the international level, Indigenous communities continue to push for respecting their rights in forums like COP16 CBD, where the need for inclusive recognition in global environmental governance was reaffirmed. Yoki Hadiprakarsa from the Rekam Nusantara Foundation added, “Continuous technical and financial support from various stakeholders is crucial to ensure ongoing biodiversity conservation. This advances the implementation of KM-GBF in Indonesia and benefits the global community.”
As discussions at COP16 CBD continue, Kalimantan’s Indigenous representatives remind the world that their traditional knowledge and dedication are invaluable assets in the shared global effort to protect biodiversity. Their voices echo a message of respect, resilience, and the urgent need for collaboration in safeguarding our planet’s ecosystems. (nsh)
Banner photo: Sungai Utik, West Kalimantan residents monitor hornbill populations in their customary forest. © Rekam Nusantara Foundation/Iban Manua Sungai Utik.