Safeguarding Indigenous Rights and Territories: Integrating Dayak Ngaju Wisdom in Peatland Ecosystem Management
Abstract
In Indonesia, the legal system heavily favors state ownership of land, leading to the marginalization of Indigenous peoples and their traditional land management practices. The prioritization of economic development over environmental and cultural conservation has resulted in a limited understanding of the value of the peatland ecosystem for Indigenous Dayak communities, leading to inappropriate and ineffective peatland management policies. To address these challenges, this research adopts a descriptive qualitative approach, utilizing a cross-sectional research design that includes in-depth interviews and literature study to gather and analyze data from Indigenous Dayak Ngaju communities in Tumbang Nusa and Pilang villages, Pulang Pisau regency, Central Kalimantan province. The study uncovers that the Indigenous Dayak Ngaju community has established a zonation system for peatland use, comprising separate areas for settlement, farming, and forest protection (Pukung Pahewan). The creation of specific policies for managing sacred areas is crucial to preserving Indigenous values and practices. Moreover, the absence of free, prior, and informed consent in certain policies and programs, such as the Mega Rice project, Food Estate program, and Zero-burning policy, has caused social conflicts within the Indigenous Dayak community, leading to the destruction of their livelihoods. Despite existing laws in Indonesia that acknowledge the rights of Indigenous peoples and safeguard their customary lands, the implementation and enforcement of these laws have proven weak and inconsistent.
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References
Book
Mizuno, Kosuke, Motoko S. Fujita, and Shuichi Kawai. Catastrophe & Regeneration in Indonesia's Peatlands: Ecology, Economi & Society. Kyoto: NUS press, 2016.
Riwut, Tjilik. Kalimantan Membangun Alam dan Kebudayaan. Yogyakarta: NR Publishing, 2017.
Journal Article
Aldhous, Peter. "Borneo is Burning." Nature 432, (2004): 144-146. http://doi.org/0.1038/432144a
Baez, Stephanie. "The Right REDD Framework: National Laws that Best Protect Indigenous Rights in a Global REDD Regime." Fordham Law Review 80, no. 2 (2011): 821-875.
Bellier, Irène, and Martin Préaud. "Emerging Issues in Indigenous Rights: Transformative Effects of the Recognition of Indigenous Peoples." The International Journal of Human Rights 16, no. 3 (2012): 474-488. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2011.574616
Boag, Carly. “A Comparative Study of The Legal Frameworks Facilitating Indigenous Land Management in Postcolonial Societies: Indigenous Australia and Indonesian Adat Law.” Brawijaya Law Journal 3, no. 2 (2016): 125-150. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.blj.2016.003.02.03
Bulkani, Ilham, and Darlan Saiffullah. “Pukung Pahewan: The Effort of Natural Resources Conservation in Dayak Ngaju Community.” IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 314, (2019): 1-9. https://doi/10.1088/1755-1315/314/1/012042
Crevello, Stacy. “Dayak Land Use Systems and Indigenous Knowledge”. Journal of Human Ecology 16, no. 1 (2004): 69-73. http://doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2004.11905718
Fajrini, Rika. "Environmental Harm and Decriminalization of Traditional Slash-and-burn Practices in Indonesia." International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy 11, no. 1 (2022): 28-43.
Goldstein, Jenny. "Carbon Bomb: Indonesia’s Failed Mega Rice Project." Environment and Society Portal, Arcadia, no.6 2016): 1.
Hergoualc’h, Kristell et al. “Managing Peatlands in Indonesia: Challenges and Opportunities for Local and Global Communities.” Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR); Policy Brief no. 205 (2018): 1-8. https://doi:10.17528/cifor/006449
Husni, Muhammad. “Kearifan Lokal Handep Masyarakat Dayak: Perspektif Cendekiawan Muslim Dayak di IAIN Palangka Raya.” Rihalah Jurnal Sejarah dan Kebudayaan 8, no. 2 (2020): 113-133. https://doi.org/10.24252/rihlah.v8i2.15941
Jafari, Yaghoob et al. "Risks and Opportunities From Key Importers Pushing For Sustainability: The Case Of Indonesian Palm Oil." Agricultural and Food Economics 5, no. 1 (2017): 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-017-0083-z
Jamin, Mohammad et al. “Legal Protection of Indigenous Community in Protected Forest Areas Based Forest City.” Bestuur 10, no. 2 (2012): 198-212. https://dx.doi.org/10.20961/bestuur.v10i2.66090
Kleinman, Peter J.A, David Pimentel, and Ray B. Bryant. "The Ecological Sustainability of Slash-and-burn Agriculture." Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 52, no. 2 (1995): 235-249. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8809(94)00531-I
Mokodompit, Gusniarjo et al. “Ensuring the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: International Legal Standards and National Implementation.” The Easta Journal Law and Human Rights 1, no. 3 (2023): 127–136. https://doi.org/10.58812/eslhr.v1i03.89
Murhaini, Suriansyah and Achmadi Murhaini. "The Farming Management of Dayak People's Community Based on Local Wisdom Ecosystem in Kalimantan Indonesia." Heliyon 7, no. 12 (2021): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08578
Nugroho, Hunggul Y. S. H et al. “Verifying Indigenous Based-Claims to Forest Rights Using Image Interpretation and Spatial Analysis: A Case Study in Gunung Lumut Protection Forest, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.” GeoJournal 87 (2022): 403–421. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-020-10260-x
Octora, Merissa. "The Local Knowledge of Dayaknese: Case Study of Pahewan Tabalean." International Conference on Contemporary Social and Political Affairs Atlantis Press, (2018): https://doi.org/10.2991/icocspa-17.2018.29
Perbawati, Candra et al. "Legal Discourse on Customary Forest Determination Progressive Law Based." Fiat Justisia: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 17, no. 1 (2023): 17-30. https://doi.org/10.25041/fiatjustisia.v17no1.2815
Puspitaloka, Dyah et al. "Analysis of Challenges, Costs, and Governance Alternative for Peatland Restoration in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia." Trees, Forests and People 6 (2021): 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2021.100131
Rachman, Syaiful., Mansyur Nawawi, and Basrun Umanailo. “Judicial Review of the Constitutional Court Decision No. 35/PUU-X/2012 About the Existence of Community Customary Forests.” Journal of Education, Humaniora and Social Sciences 3, no. 3 (2021): 823-828. https://doi.org/10.34007/jehss.v3i3.410
Safitri, Myrna. “Dividing the Land: Legal Gaps in the Recognition of Customary Land in Indonesian Forest Areas”. Third World Studies 30, no. 2 (2015): 31-45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-020-10260-x
Sangha, Kamaljit K. "Global Importance of Indigenous and Local Communities’ Managed Lands: Building a Case For Stewardship Schemes." Sustainability 12, no. 19 (2020): 7839. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12197839
Sinaga, Janes, Juita Lusiana Sinambela, and Reviandari Widyatiningtyas. "Social Solidarity: Getting to Know the Uniqueness and Cultural Appeal of Traditional Dayak Tribes." East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research 2, no. 4 (2023): 1661-1674. https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v2i4.3767
Suartha, I Dewa Made, Hervina Puspitosari, and Bagus Hermanto. “Reconstruction Communal Rights Registration in Encouraging Indonesia Environmental Protection.” International Journal of Advanced Science and Tehnology 29, no. 3 (2020): 1277-1293.
Thornton, Sara A. et al. "Towards Biocultural Approaches to Peatland Conservation: The Case for Fish and Livelihoods in Indonesia." Environmental Science & Policy 114 (2020): 341-351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.08.018
Uda, Saritha Kittie, Greetje Schouten, and Lars Hein. "The Institutional Fit of Peatland Governance in Indonesia." Land Use Policy 99 (2020): 103300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.03.031
Uda, Saritha Kittie, Lars Hein and Elham Sumarga. “Towards Sustainable Management Of Indonesian Tropical Peatlands.” Wetlands Ecology Management 25, no. 6 (2017): 683–701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-017-9544-0
Usop, Linggua Sanjaya and Indra Perdana. "Ritual Hinting Pali as Resistance of the Dayak Ngaju Community (Case Study of Expansion of Large-Scaled Palm Oil Company to Ecology, Dayak Ngaju Community)." Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture 2, no. 2 (2021): 73-81. https://doi.org/10.33258/lakhomi.v2i2.472
Utami, Purnama Julia and Sri Musrifah. "The Political Dynamic of Dayak Elite on Relocating Capital to Kalimantan Island." Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial 8, no. 4 (2021): 364-373. https://doi.org/10.33258/konfrontasi2.v8i4.173
Wisnu, Ditta. "Food Estate Program Law Politics." Journal of Contemporary Sociological Issues 2, no. 1 (2022): 76-91. https://doi.org/10.19184/csi.v2i1.28051
Wiesner, Benjamin John and Paul Dargusch. “The Social License to Restore—Perspectives on Community Involvement in Indonesian Peatland Restoration.” Land 11 (2022), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11071038
Wösten, J.H.M. et al, “Peat–water Interrelationships in a Tropical Peatland Ecosystem in Southeast Asia.” Catena 73, no. 2 (2008): 212–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2007.07.010
Yanarita et al. “Development of the Dayak Ngaju Community Forest in the Forest and Peatland Area, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.” Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology 8, no. 3 (2014): 40-47. https://doi.org/10.9790/2402-08314047
Legal Documents
Indonesia. The 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.
Indonesia. Law No. 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights.
Indonesia. Law No. 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry.
Indonesia. Law No. 18 of 2004 concerning Plantation.
Indonesia. Law No. 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management.
Indonesia. Minister of Environment and Forestry Decree No. 5447/MENLHK-PSKL/PKTHA/KUM.1/6/2019.
Other Document
Lubis, Zulkifli. “Social Mapping of Access to Peat Swamp Forest and Peatland Resources.” Indonesia-Australia Forest Carbon Partnership. (2013).
Kelsall, Michelle Staggs, Roichatul Aswidah, and Randy Wirasta Nandyatama. “Beyond Commodication, Toward Job Creation: Indonesia at a Crossroads.” (Jakarta: Sasakawa Peace Foundation, 2021).
Interview
Five Indigenous Dayak elders from Pilang and Tumbang Nusa villages, “Indigenous Dayak wisdom in peatland management” interviewed by Sumarni, Central Kalimantan, 2-10 October 2021.
Indigenous Dayak Mantir from Pilang villages, “Indigenous Dayak farming” interviewed by Sumarni, Central Kalimantan, 8 October 2021.
Six Indigenous Dayak community and village official from Pilang and Tumbang Nusa villages, “Peatland Use and Land Change in Pilang and Tumbang Nusa village” interviewed by Sumarni, Central Kalimantan, 14-20 September 2021.
Two members of Grassroot organisation Ranu Welum Foundation, “Land Rights of Indigenous Dayak Peoples” interviewed by Sumarni, Palangka Raya, 20 October 2021.
Official of Barasak Customary forest. “Community Effort in Obtaining Legal Recognition of Barasak Customary Forest.” Pilang Village, interviewed by Sumarni, 15 October 2021.
Case Law
Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia. Decision No. 35/PUU-X/2012.
Website Content
Dewan Adat Dayak Barito Utara. “Hukum Adat.” https://www.dadbaritoutara.com/hukum-adat
Mongabay. “New Indonesian Law May Make It Harder to Punish Firma for Haze-causing Fires.” https://news.ger.com/2020/10/new-indonesian-law-may-make-it-harder-to-punish-firms-for-haze-causing-fires/
Mizuno, Kosuke, Motoko S. Fujita, and Shuichi Kawai. Catastrophe & Regeneration in Indonesia's Peatlands: Ecology, Economi & Society. Kyoto: NUS press, 2016.
Riwut, Tjilik. Kalimantan Membangun Alam dan Kebudayaan. Yogyakarta: NR Publishing, 2017.
Journal Article
Aldhous, Peter. "Borneo is Burning." Nature 432, (2004): 144-146. http://doi.org/0.1038/432144a
Baez, Stephanie. "The Right REDD Framework: National Laws that Best Protect Indigenous Rights in a Global REDD Regime." Fordham Law Review 80, no. 2 (2011): 821-875.
Bellier, Irène, and Martin Préaud. "Emerging Issues in Indigenous Rights: Transformative Effects of the Recognition of Indigenous Peoples." The International Journal of Human Rights 16, no. 3 (2012): 474-488. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2011.574616
Boag, Carly. “A Comparative Study of The Legal Frameworks Facilitating Indigenous Land Management in Postcolonial Societies: Indigenous Australia and Indonesian Adat Law.” Brawijaya Law Journal 3, no. 2 (2016): 125-150. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.blj.2016.003.02.03
Bulkani, Ilham, and Darlan Saiffullah. “Pukung Pahewan: The Effort of Natural Resources Conservation in Dayak Ngaju Community.” IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 314, (2019): 1-9. https://doi/10.1088/1755-1315/314/1/012042
Crevello, Stacy. “Dayak Land Use Systems and Indigenous Knowledge”. Journal of Human Ecology 16, no. 1 (2004): 69-73. http://doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2004.11905718
Fajrini, Rika. "Environmental Harm and Decriminalization of Traditional Slash-and-burn Practices in Indonesia." International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy 11, no. 1 (2022): 28-43.
Goldstein, Jenny. "Carbon Bomb: Indonesia’s Failed Mega Rice Project." Environment and Society Portal, Arcadia, no.6 2016): 1.
Hergoualc’h, Kristell et al. “Managing Peatlands in Indonesia: Challenges and Opportunities for Local and Global Communities.” Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR); Policy Brief no. 205 (2018): 1-8. https://doi:10.17528/cifor/006449
Husni, Muhammad. “Kearifan Lokal Handep Masyarakat Dayak: Perspektif Cendekiawan Muslim Dayak di IAIN Palangka Raya.” Rihalah Jurnal Sejarah dan Kebudayaan 8, no. 2 (2020): 113-133. https://doi.org/10.24252/rihlah.v8i2.15941
Jafari, Yaghoob et al. "Risks and Opportunities From Key Importers Pushing For Sustainability: The Case Of Indonesian Palm Oil." Agricultural and Food Economics 5, no. 1 (2017): 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-017-0083-z
Jamin, Mohammad et al. “Legal Protection of Indigenous Community in Protected Forest Areas Based Forest City.” Bestuur 10, no. 2 (2012): 198-212. https://dx.doi.org/10.20961/bestuur.v10i2.66090
Kleinman, Peter J.A, David Pimentel, and Ray B. Bryant. "The Ecological Sustainability of Slash-and-burn Agriculture." Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 52, no. 2 (1995): 235-249. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8809(94)00531-I
Mokodompit, Gusniarjo et al. “Ensuring the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: International Legal Standards and National Implementation.” The Easta Journal Law and Human Rights 1, no. 3 (2023): 127–136. https://doi.org/10.58812/eslhr.v1i03.89
Murhaini, Suriansyah and Achmadi Murhaini. "The Farming Management of Dayak People's Community Based on Local Wisdom Ecosystem in Kalimantan Indonesia." Heliyon 7, no. 12 (2021): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08578
Nugroho, Hunggul Y. S. H et al. “Verifying Indigenous Based-Claims to Forest Rights Using Image Interpretation and Spatial Analysis: A Case Study in Gunung Lumut Protection Forest, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.” GeoJournal 87 (2022): 403–421. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-020-10260-x
Octora, Merissa. "The Local Knowledge of Dayaknese: Case Study of Pahewan Tabalean." International Conference on Contemporary Social and Political Affairs Atlantis Press, (2018): https://doi.org/10.2991/icocspa-17.2018.29
Perbawati, Candra et al. "Legal Discourse on Customary Forest Determination Progressive Law Based." Fiat Justisia: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 17, no. 1 (2023): 17-30. https://doi.org/10.25041/fiatjustisia.v17no1.2815
Puspitaloka, Dyah et al. "Analysis of Challenges, Costs, and Governance Alternative for Peatland Restoration in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia." Trees, Forests and People 6 (2021): 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2021.100131
Rachman, Syaiful., Mansyur Nawawi, and Basrun Umanailo. “Judicial Review of the Constitutional Court Decision No. 35/PUU-X/2012 About the Existence of Community Customary Forests.” Journal of Education, Humaniora and Social Sciences 3, no. 3 (2021): 823-828. https://doi.org/10.34007/jehss.v3i3.410
Safitri, Myrna. “Dividing the Land: Legal Gaps in the Recognition of Customary Land in Indonesian Forest Areas”. Third World Studies 30, no. 2 (2015): 31-45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-020-10260-x
Sangha, Kamaljit K. "Global Importance of Indigenous and Local Communities’ Managed Lands: Building a Case For Stewardship Schemes." Sustainability 12, no. 19 (2020): 7839. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12197839
Sinaga, Janes, Juita Lusiana Sinambela, and Reviandari Widyatiningtyas. "Social Solidarity: Getting to Know the Uniqueness and Cultural Appeal of Traditional Dayak Tribes." East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research 2, no. 4 (2023): 1661-1674. https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v2i4.3767
Suartha, I Dewa Made, Hervina Puspitosari, and Bagus Hermanto. “Reconstruction Communal Rights Registration in Encouraging Indonesia Environmental Protection.” International Journal of Advanced Science and Tehnology 29, no. 3 (2020): 1277-1293.
Thornton, Sara A. et al. "Towards Biocultural Approaches to Peatland Conservation: The Case for Fish and Livelihoods in Indonesia." Environmental Science & Policy 114 (2020): 341-351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.08.018
Uda, Saritha Kittie, Greetje Schouten, and Lars Hein. "The Institutional Fit of Peatland Governance in Indonesia." Land Use Policy 99 (2020): 103300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.03.031
Uda, Saritha Kittie, Lars Hein and Elham Sumarga. “Towards Sustainable Management Of Indonesian Tropical Peatlands.” Wetlands Ecology Management 25, no. 6 (2017): 683–701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-017-9544-0
Usop, Linggua Sanjaya and Indra Perdana. "Ritual Hinting Pali as Resistance of the Dayak Ngaju Community (Case Study of Expansion of Large-Scaled Palm Oil Company to Ecology, Dayak Ngaju Community)." Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture 2, no. 2 (2021): 73-81. https://doi.org/10.33258/lakhomi.v2i2.472
Utami, Purnama Julia and Sri Musrifah. "The Political Dynamic of Dayak Elite on Relocating Capital to Kalimantan Island." Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial 8, no. 4 (2021): 364-373. https://doi.org/10.33258/konfrontasi2.v8i4.173
Wisnu, Ditta. "Food Estate Program Law Politics." Journal of Contemporary Sociological Issues 2, no. 1 (2022): 76-91. https://doi.org/10.19184/csi.v2i1.28051
Wiesner, Benjamin John and Paul Dargusch. “The Social License to Restore—Perspectives on Community Involvement in Indonesian Peatland Restoration.” Land 11 (2022), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11071038
Wösten, J.H.M. et al, “Peat–water Interrelationships in a Tropical Peatland Ecosystem in Southeast Asia.” Catena 73, no. 2 (2008): 212–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2007.07.010
Yanarita et al. “Development of the Dayak Ngaju Community Forest in the Forest and Peatland Area, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.” Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology 8, no. 3 (2014): 40-47. https://doi.org/10.9790/2402-08314047
Legal Documents
Indonesia. The 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.
Indonesia. Law No. 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights.
Indonesia. Law No. 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry.
Indonesia. Law No. 18 of 2004 concerning Plantation.
Indonesia. Law No. 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management.
Indonesia. Minister of Environment and Forestry Decree No. 5447/MENLHK-PSKL/PKTHA/KUM.1/6/2019.
Other Document
Lubis, Zulkifli. “Social Mapping of Access to Peat Swamp Forest and Peatland Resources.” Indonesia-Australia Forest Carbon Partnership. (2013).
Kelsall, Michelle Staggs, Roichatul Aswidah, and Randy Wirasta Nandyatama. “Beyond Commodication, Toward Job Creation: Indonesia at a Crossroads.” (Jakarta: Sasakawa Peace Foundation, 2021).
Interview
Five Indigenous Dayak elders from Pilang and Tumbang Nusa villages, “Indigenous Dayak wisdom in peatland management” interviewed by Sumarni, Central Kalimantan, 2-10 October 2021.
Indigenous Dayak Mantir from Pilang villages, “Indigenous Dayak farming” interviewed by Sumarni, Central Kalimantan, 8 October 2021.
Six Indigenous Dayak community and village official from Pilang and Tumbang Nusa villages, “Peatland Use and Land Change in Pilang and Tumbang Nusa village” interviewed by Sumarni, Central Kalimantan, 14-20 September 2021.
Two members of Grassroot organisation Ranu Welum Foundation, “Land Rights of Indigenous Dayak Peoples” interviewed by Sumarni, Palangka Raya, 20 October 2021.
Official of Barasak Customary forest. “Community Effort in Obtaining Legal Recognition of Barasak Customary Forest.” Pilang Village, interviewed by Sumarni, 15 October 2021.
Case Law
Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia. Decision No. 35/PUU-X/2012.
Website Content
Dewan Adat Dayak Barito Utara. “Hukum Adat.” https://www.dadbaritoutara.com/hukum-adat
Mongabay. “New Indonesian Law May Make It Harder to Punish Firma for Haze-causing Fires.” https://news.ger.com/2020/10/new-indonesian-law-may-make-it-harder-to-punish-firms-for-haze-causing-fires/
Published
2023-07-29
How to Cite
SUMARNI, Sumarni; ERY WIJAYA, Muhammad; MEILASARI SUGIANA, Astrid.
Safeguarding Indigenous Rights and Territories: Integrating Dayak Ngaju Wisdom in Peatland Ecosystem Management.
Udayana Journal of Law and Culture, [S.l.], v. 7, n. 2, p. 121-140, july 2023.
ISSN 2549-0680.
Available at: <https://ojs.unud.ac.id/index.php/ujlc/article/view/101332>. Date accessed: 17 may 2024.
doi: https://doi.org/10.24843/UJLC.2023.v07.i02.p01.
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