The Poco Leok Indigenous Community's Rejection of the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant Expansion and the Economic Development of the Golo Linus Indigenous Community

The Poco Leok Indigenous Community in Central Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, faces a serious threat to their customary land, which has been designated as the site for the expansion of the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP). The central government has designated this project as a National Strategic Project (PSN) to increase capacity from the current 7,5 megawatts to 40 megawatts. Ten traditional villages, or drum which is threatened by the planned expansion of the geothermal power plant. Ten drum in Poco Leok, namely: Gendang Mucu, Mocok, Mori, Nderu, Cako, Ncamar, Rebak, Jong, Tere, and Lungar.

Society of ten drum They firmly rejected the planned development project that threatened their living space. Therefore, they carried out consolidation in 8 locations. drumThe consolidation resulted in a spirit of unity in opposing the planned expansion of the geothermal power plant, attended by 278 people. This consolidation also discussed the demarcation of the Pocoleok customary territory, which includes 10 villages. drumReaffirming the boundaries of this customary territory is crucial to provide a basis for advocacy and resistance against development projects that have the potential to damage the environment and customary order in Pocoleok.

Their efforts to assert their rejection of the geothermal power plant project did not stop there. The Pocoleok Indigenous Community held a dialogue with the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) and the Regent of Manggarai Regency. They conveyed their aspirations that the Pocoleok Indigenous Community rejects the geothermal power plant development project, which is planned without the consent of the Pocoleok Indigenous Community as the owners of their customary territory. These efforts are ongoing by the Pocoleok Indigenous Community to defend their living space. It is important to emphasize that they are not rejecting progress; they are simply rejecting development that is incompatible with the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Golo Linus Indigenous Community

This contrasts with the Golo Linus Indigenous Community in East Manggarai Regency. They are pursuing economic development through the formation of the Indigenous Community Business Group (KUMA). They are building a pig farm managed collectively through KUMA. They began by acquiring 16 sows and two boars.

The management of this pig farming business is planned to be a rolling system. This is to ensure that the impact of this group's efforts is felt equally and fairly by all members of the Golo Linus Indigenous Community. Because this is the first time this business has been implemented in Golo Linus, they still need KUMA management training going forward. Through KUMA, they are beginning to improve the welfare of the Golo Linus Indigenous Community by improving the household economic well-being of its members.