Who is Truly Harming Borneo's Forests?

The damage and deforestation in Borneo are largely caused by the greedy actions of mining and plantation entrepreneurs, as well as high-cost economic practices. Photo by: the author.

BORNEOTRAVEL -BALIKPAPAN: Who is truly harming Borneo's forests?

Let’s get one thing straight: it’s not the indigenous communities. For centuries, they have thrived in harmony with these lands, nurturing their homes rather than destroying them. It’s absurd to think otherwise!

So, if it’s not them, then who is to blame?

External forces are the real culprits. One of the significant sparks for the inter-ethnic tensions in West Kalimantan since 1996 is the inequitable management of forests and agricultural land.

Guardians of the Borneo rainforest

The Dayak people, often hailed as the custodians of Borneo—the world’s third-largest island—are essential to its history and environmental health.

Long before the state was formed, the Dayak recognized their bond with the land. In its untouched state, Borneo flourished, its ecosystems thriving without interference.

When that balance is disrupted, the primary offenders are typically newcomers, corporations, and miners. The Dayak aren’t just “indigenous people”; they are nature's stewards, upholding traditions that honor the symbiotic relationship between humanity and the environment.

As Borneo faced resource exploitation, the Dayak watched their world transform. Newcomers and corporations brought significant harm, degrading the land’s natural beauty and threatening sustainability.

As custodians of Borneo, the Dayak actively promote sustainability and ecological balance. They advocate for local involvement in decisions about resource management, focusing on forest conservation, wildlife protection, and sustainable development.

External exploitation

For the Dayak, achieving a balance between human needs and environmental preservation is paramount. They seek to collaborate with newcomers, corporations, and miners to create sustainable partnerships that protect Borneo's beauty for future generations. They are not just passive witnesses to history; they are shaping a sustainable future for their homeland.

Many find the environmental devastation in Borneo perplexing. How did the management of these vital forests become such a source of discord? Who truly deserves the blame?

The stark reality is that Borneo’s forests are at a critical juncture. Over 30% of West Kalimantan—around 146,700 square kilometers—has succumbed to severe degradation due to relentless logging.

The crux of the problem lies in the prevailing perception of injustice within forest management.

While concession holders clear vast areas of forest, local residents, who merely seek firewood for survival, are branded as thieves—on their own land!

The arrival of Forest Concession Rights (HPH) in Kalimantan began with the 1967 Domestic Capital Investment Law, which promised local benefits through forest management. Yet, this led to a dramatic increase in logging operations.

In 1968, there were only 25 timber concessions; by 1990, that number surged to 574. Wood production skyrocketed from 6 million cubic meters in 1967 to 31 million cubic meters in 1990, bolstering foreign exchange earnings dramatically.

As these concessions proliferated, so did the influx of Core Plantation and Industrial Timber Plantation initiatives, luring investors with promises of profit, often at the expense of local land rights.

Investors initially win over locals by building infrastructure and providing minimal compensation, but the long-term consequences are severe.

Research from Syarief Ihrahim Alqadrie shows that local workers in these operations often hold the lowest positions, while outsiders reap the benefits.

Conflicts frequently erupt as forest mapping fails to recognize the customary lands of indigenous peoples, leading to clashes when they assert their rights. Many locals face criminal charges for practices like slash-and-burn agriculture, unjustly labeled as obstacles to progress.

The Dayak, the rightful heirs of Borneo, must elevate their political awareness.

Perhaps it’s time for collective action. Forming advocacy groups for marginalized indigenous communities is essential to counter manipulation and control.

Social tensions emerge

Conflicts abound in West Kalimantan as entrepreneurs and locals clash over land rights. Historical cases like the Jekak conflict in Ketapang and the expulsion of illegal loggers in Sengah Temila illustrate this ongoing struggle.

As long as Indonesia fails to ratify the ILO Convention 169 concerning Indigenous Peoples (the first nation), the issue of forest management inequity will persist.

The Dayak’s diverse patterns of land ownership fuel resistance against injustice, echoing their adage: “Even dogs, let alone humans. Step on their tails, and they will bite!”

When newcomers initially appear benevolent, tensions rise over land ownership disputes. The philosophy of respecting the land often gets lost amid the pursuit of power.

Ultimately, it is not the indigenous people who are destroying Kalimantan’s forests; it is the forest companies, illegal miners, and greedy investors.

The touted “trickle-down” effect often serves as nothing more than a comforting slogan, failing to deliver real benefits to those who need them most.

So, who truly devastates the forests of Kalimantan? It’s not the indigenous communities but rather those exploiting the land for profit.

-- Lingu Tawak Lengilo