Dr. Yansen TP's Vision for Borneo’s Biodiversity Guardians: Kalimantan's Rainforest and Dayak Heritage
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| The Lundayeh people of Kayan Mentarang National Park: Preserving ancestral heritage. Document by Hepi Ramat. |
The rainforests of Kalimantan are not only vital to global ecological balance but also home to diverse wildlife and unique plant species.
Dayak: harmony keepers
Integral to this rainforest ecosystem are the indigenous Dayak peoples, who have lived in harmony with the land for centuries.
Among these indigenous groups are the Lundayeh, a community deeply connected to the forest. The Lundayeh people are composed of four major sub-ethnic groups: Lun Lun Lengilo', Tanah Lun, Lun Nan Ba', and Lun Sa'ben.
Each group has its own distinct traditions and ways of life, but they share a common bond with the rainforest that surrounds them.
One of the most significant protected areas in Kalimantan is Kayan Mentarang National Park, established in 1996. Covering an impressive 13,605 square kilometers, this park is one of Indonesia’s largest and most pristine rainforest reserves.
It is a critical habitat for endangered species such as the Bornean pygmy elephant and the Sumatran rhinoceros. The park's vast and relatively untouched rainforests play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region.
Kayan Mentarang National Park and the Dayak People
Kayan Mentarang National Park is managed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and is located in Kalimantan Utara, with the nearest city being Malinau. The park is open to visitors daily until 4:00 pm.
For more information, the park office can be reached at (0553) 2022758. The park’s address is V9CH+PCG, Balai Taman Nasional Kayan Mentarang Pemda, Jl. Pusat Pemerintahan, Tanjung Belimbing, Pujungan, Kabupaten Malinau, Kalimantan Utara 77562.
Dr. Yansen TP, a distinguished intellectual, researcher, and bureaucrat, is also a prominent figure among the Lundayeh people.
He offers profound insights into the intricate relationship between indigenous communities and their surrounding forest ecosystems. As a respected authority, Dr. Yansen TP elucidates how the Lundayeh have maintained a harmonious and sustainable connection with the rainforest for centuries.
His perspectives shed light on the essential role that indigenous knowledge and stewardship play in preserving the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of the region.
Through his work, Dr. Yansen TP underscores the deep-rooted and ongoing contributions of the Lundayeh in safeguarding the natural environment and ensuring the survival of their ancestral traditions.
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| Dr. Yansen TP. Document by Agustina. |
Yansen states, "The truth is that the National Park is situated in the traditional forest areas of the local communities. For hundreds, even thousands of years, these indigenous people have lived in and cared for these forest areas.
Dr. Yansen TP has been actively encouraging local leaders in Krayan
If today Kalimantan's green landscapes still exist, it is thanks to the wise stewardship of the native inhabitants." Dr. Yansen TP is a national literacy figure who has published several books through Kompas Gramedia.
In his ongoing efforts to preserve and recognize the rights of indigenous peoples, Dr. Yansen TP has been actively encouraging local leaders in Krayan, Nunukan Regency, Kalimantan Utara, to undertake mapping of their lands and territories.
He emphasizes, "We, the Dayak, are not just heirs but also the guardians of the Borneo rainforest. People need to understand this fact!" This call to action reflects his broader commitment to ensuring that indigenous contributions to conservation are acknowledged and respected.
Dr. Yansen TP made headlines in 2020 when he presented at Bappenas in Jakarta, revealing a map that demonstrated that Borneo's green areas are inhabited and managed by indigenous peoples.
His assertion, "We do not need recognition. We, the Dayak, just need to write our own history!" highlights his stance on indigenous self-determination and the importance of documenting and celebrating the role of Dayak peoples in rainforest conservation.
Dr. Yansen is also known for his role as the Deputy Governor of Kalimantan Utara.
Kalimantan’s rainforests, coupled with the enduring heritage of the Dayak peoples, represent a powerful synergy between nature and culture.
Preserving these rainforests and honoring the traditions of their indigenous stewards ensures that Kalimantan’s ecological and cultural richness will endure for future generations.
-- Rangkaya Bada
Borneo Travel
BORNEO TRAVEL is a blog specifically dedicated to domestic and foreign tourists who want to have a vacation, or have an adventure to enjoy the sensation of ecotourism, even those who intend to do research on the island of Borneo which is the third largest island in the world after Greenland and Papua. This island is not only exotic with various world attractions, but also rich in culture and biodiversity that will make anyone fall in love.
