The award was conferred by the Governor of East Kalimantan.
“Since long ago, we have preserved our forests because we benefit from their non-timber resources,” Elsa Wijaya, the award recipient and head of the MHA Benuaq Telimuk, said in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on Monday.
“But it was 14 years ago that we formally and seriously committed to protecting the forest through our customary institution,” he added.
Thanks to its sustained efforts and collaboration with companies operating in the customary territory, the community has managed to successfully preserve the forest ecosystem, including both flora and fauna.
Elsa said that the total area of the Benuaq Telimuk customary territory is 2,612 hectares. It includes both residential areas and forest zones.
Of the total land, 407 hectares has been designated as a customary forest and is continuously protected, not only as an economic resource but also as a source of clean water for the community.
The forest is still home to rare species, such as the increasingly scarce ulin trees (Bornean ironwood), white-faced langurs, various monkey species, wild bantengs, and clouded leopards.
“We even have the largest ulin tree there, which we visited with the forestry office. The tree’s circumference is 200 cm, and it is estimated to be around 400 years old,” he said.
He acknowledged facing numerous challenges, including encounters with illegal hunters and loggers armed with chainsaws. Confrontations often ensued to protect the forest.
However, with support from the forestry and environmental agencies at both the district and provincial levels, the community’s legal standing and protection efforts have grown stronger.
Assistance from the East Kalimantan Provincial Office for Community and Village Empowerment (DPMPD) has further reinforced their legal authority.
“Last year, we received Rp250 million from the FCPF (Forest Carbon Partnership Facility) program, which we used to support community economic activities and build a guard post. This has helped us prevent illegal logging and poaching,” Elsa informed.
After the award ceremony, he visited the head of DPMPD East Kalimantan, Puguh Harjanto, to express his gratitude for the ongoing support provided to the MHA.
Puguh commended him and the community for their dedication to protecting the forest and its ecology.
He also encouraged Elsa to create a road map documenting his experiences in forest conservation, which could serve as a reference and inspiration for other indigenous communities.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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