Surviving Amidst Limitations: The Efforts of the Kenegerian Canal Indigenous Community to Build an Economy to Protect Customary Forests

Exploitation of forest resources in Indonesia began in 1967 with the enactment of the Basic Forestry Law. The state took over control of forests previously managed by indigenous communities, paving the way for concession sales. In the period 1967–1980, 519 HPHs were issued covering an area of ​​53 million hectares. This policy reduced indigenous territories and limited access for local communities to the forest resources that were their mainstay—including in Kenegerian Terusan, Riau.

Kenegerian Terusan is one of six kenegeria along the Subayang River, Riau, along with Batu Songgan, Malako Kociak, Gajah Bertalut, Aur Kuning, and Pangkalan Serai. In 2019, their long struggle for recognition paid off with the issuance of a Decree from the Kampar Regent recognizing the Indigenous Peoples and Customary Land Rights of Kenegerian Terusan. However, official recognition of their customary forests—including the Imbo Papan Customary Forest (77 hectares), Bukik Kojan Customary Forest (369 hectares), and Imbo Kopuang Customary Forest (321 hectares)—has been stuck at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) since applications were submitted in 2018 and 2019.

History records that since the 12th to 14th centuries, the Kenegerian Terusan indigenous people have inhabited their customary forest area, which was once part of the Kuntu Darussalam Kingdom. In 2014, the Kenegerian Terusan customary area was designated as part of the Bukit Rimbang Baling Wildlife Reserve. This designation further limits the living space of the indigenous people, preventing them from accessing agricultural land and natural resources that were previously accessible to meet their living needs. The status of a sanctuary forest can indeed protect the forest, but what about the Indigenous Peoples whose survival is interdependent with the forest?

Before the status of the sanctuary forest was implemented, the people of Kenegerian Terusan independently produced food, from rice, tubers, to spices in their customary forest. However, the determination of the sanctuary forest status limited them to manage the land, so that dependence on food from the city increased. The community that was once productive became more consumptive.

Limited access to forests also further narrows the economic choices of the community. Forced by necessity, many residents end up involved in logging which offers quick income. Despite being aware of its negative impacts on the environment, the absence of sustainable economic alternatives allows this activity to continue.

To answer this challenge, the Indigenous Peoples' Enterprises (BUMMA) with the support of the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding developed local potential, stingless bee honey (Trigona) and ginger—two commodities with high economic value, relatively easy to care for, and do not require large land clearing or forest exploitation.

KUMMA RISBE brought in 20 harvest-ready kelulut nests to speed up the results and facilitate the adaptation of nest management by the community. These nests were placed in the yards of five family heads so that they could be easily monitored. Indigenous women also played a role in the care and harvesting. The first harvest in April 2024 produced 8 kilograms of pure honey—twice the initial target of 4 kilograms. The next harvest is scheduled for August 2024, with the hope of more optimal results because the weather conditions are more favorable.

On the other hand, ginger cultivation by the Indigenous Women of Terusan State faces challenges. High rainfall causes many seeds to rot before they grow to their full potential. However, the indigenous women do not give up. They plan to continue cultivation with independent funding, learn from failures, and seek more appropriate cultivation strategies.

Although it has not fully improved the community's economy, the cultivation of kelulut and ginger has great potential as an alternative source of income. Seeing the success of the treatment and the fairly high selling value of the first harvest of 20 kelulut nests, several residents who are not members of KUMMA RISBE have begun to develop kelulut cultivation independently by looking for natural nests in the forest. KUMMA RISBE members also continue to actively spread news and knowledge about the economic prospects of kelulut honey to the community.

Since the program was implemented, the number of families who depend on forest encroachment has decreased. This proves that the economic model based on indigenous communities can be a solution in protecting the environment while improving welfare.

Despite facing various restrictions due to forest protection policies, indigenous people in Kenegerian Terusan continue to seek solutions that do not damage the environment. They have developed sustainable natural resource-based economic systems, such as the cultivation of kelulut and ginger, which do not require large-scale land clearing or forest exploitation. This initiative shows that despite their increasingly limited space, indigenous people remain strongly committed to preserving the forest while struggling to build adequate economic resources.