KALIMANTAN: COMMUNITY
Community development is central to our approach. In Kalimantan, we ensure local communities – who can feel overlooked by NGOs perceiving them to be focused solely on wildlife – understand that we value and support them. We work together to show people how protecting the environment and wildlife can bring direct benefits to their lives and livelihoods.
THE PEOPLE OF SEKONYER VILLAGE
Our main focus is the village of Tanjung Harapan, also known as Sekonyer village, across the river from Tanjung Puting National Park. The village is near our Pesalat and Beguruh reforestation sites and is where most of our employees are from. The village is home to more than 500 people, who come from many different areas, including Malay, Bugis, Madura and Java.
The village has been gradually losing its forest and its main economic resources, so conflict often arises between villagers and park authorities about forest protection.
After centuries of nomadic farming, hunting, fishing, and wood collection, only about 20% of the forest that once belonged to the village remains. Sekonyer River, which flows next to the village, was once their main source of clean water. But pollution from the illegal mining upstream has contaminated the water and its ecosystem. At the same time, wide expanses of open swamps have critically been left to oil palm plantations and mining companies.
HOW WE HELP
Farmer’s group. With our guidance and support, a group of village farmers have committed to protect the remaining forest and start reforestation projects in the surrounding area.
Education scholarships. For the first time, girls from the village are graduating high school, thanks to our scholarships. Traditionally, parents only sent boys to school.
Conservation education. We teach students about conservation through lectures and field trips to the parks, giving them hands-on experience in protecting wildlife and habitats.
Agroforestry and mixed, organic farming. We’re helping farmers move away from traditional slash-and-burn farming, which damages the environment and can cause uncontrollable fires that spread to the park. Agroforestry and mixed, organic farming, which is better for wildlife and the environment, provide people with higher and more sustainable alternative income sources.
Ecotourism. Despite park tourism growing for decades the village saw few benefits. We teach people to run camping and trekking tours. We have donated tents, cooking utensils and built a camping spot. We secured exclusive rights from park authorities for the village to run camping tours, so they don’t compete with established tour operators. Now, they are working with tourists around the world.
Preservation of arts and culture. We’ve helped revitalize traditional Malay arts by organizing classes that give the older generation a chance to teach the younger generation about dance, music, sports, and more. These classes keep cultural traditions alive. We also promote these arts to tourists and organized the village’s first-ever arts festival, showcasing local talent and heritage.