Protecting the Sacred Forest of the Margo IX Koto Indigenous Community: Teluk Jambu Indigenous Forest

Geographically, Margo IX Koto Teluk Jambu is located in the lowlands on the banks of the Batanghari River, its area covers two sub-districts, namely Tebo Ulu Sub-district and Serai Serumpun Sub-district, Tebo Regency, Jambi. The Margo IX Koto Teluk Jambu area includes 9 villages, namely Bungo Tanjung Village, Pulau Jelmu Village, Pulau Panjang Village, Pulau Temiang Village, Bukit Pemuatan Village, Aliansir Jaya Village, and a small part of Napal Putih Village. The Customary Area in Tebo is also known as margo, in Tebo Sub-district there are five margo, including Margo IX Koto.

The Margo IX Koto Indigenous Community has a sacred customary forest, namely the Teluk Jambu Customary Forest. Around 100 years ago, this customary forest area was the initial settlement of the customary community before it was finally abandoned. Now the remaining customary forest area is only around 10 hectares. Teluk Jambu is still pristine with ancient wood and fruit trees that are hundreds of years old and holds a lot of history, including ancestral graves that are still well-maintained to this day.

In Teluk Jambu Customary Forest, the community still utilizes various plants and fruit trees for daily and economic needs, such as duku, mangosteen, rambai, cupak hutan, and rattan. In addition, this customary forest also provides medicinal plants used in traditional medicine. All potential contained therein is a customary right and is managed collectively by the Indigenous Community.

For the Margo IX Koto Indigenous Community, Teluk Jambu Customary Forest is a spiritual cosmos. The existence of ancestral graves that are still well-maintained and the community's belief in "orang bunian" as forest guardians make it a sacred area and is considered to have magical powers. Not only does it act as a source of livelihood, Teluk Jambu Customary Forest is also one of the spiritual centers for the margos in Tebo Regency.

Pilgrims come and go, either to make pilgrimages, to care for graves, or to perform traditional rituals. The presence of pilgrims opens up economic opportunities, the Margo IX Koto Indigenous Community then develops typical pilgrimage tourism products of Teluk Jambu Indigenous Forest, such as processed foods and handicrafts based on forest products.

As part of efforts to protect customary forests and maintain cultural identity, the Margo IX Koto Indigenous Community, with the support of the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding, built a “Halfway House” as a center for learning and customary meetings. The Halfway House is a space for various activities, such as customary deliberations, customary schools for the younger generation, and the production of food and handicrafts based on forest products. Tourists who visit can also learn directly about the culture and traditions of Margo IX Koto.

Not only that, the Margo IX Koto Indigenous Community is also actively trying to thicken forest cover by planting 160 durian seedlings, 550 avocado seedlings, and 250 agarwood seedlings. The planting aims to increase biodiversity in the Teluk Jambu Customary Forest while creating new economic sources based on non-timber forest products. Agarwood, for example, has high economic value in the perfume, cosmetics, and traditional medicine industries. This effort is also supported by training in environmentally friendly farming techniques as well as discussions and workshops on the importance of customary forests for the environment, culture, and economy.

The Margo IX Koto Indigenous Community has proven that preserving customary forests and improving the economy can go hand in hand. By maintaining local wisdom in managing forests and increasing the value of forest products, they not only protect the customary forest ecosystem, but also strengthen the resilience of the Indigenous Community.