PROTECTION OF THE TADUNO CUSTOMARY TERRITORY IN BANGGAI LAUT THROUGH PARTICIPATORY MAPPING

The territory of the Taduno Indigenous Community in Banggai Laut Regency, Central Sulawesi, faces threats from natural resource exploitation. The marine area, which has long been the backbone of the Taduno Indigenous Community's economy, is threatened by illegal fishing activities using trawls and fish bombs. The land area is also threatened by the opening of limestone mines to support nickel mining in North Morowali.

This threat underlies the mapping of the Taduno Customary Territory, which aims to both reinforce and protect the territory from the threat of large-scale natural exploitation. Fifteen indigenous youth, consisting of five women and ten men, participated in mapping training as an initial activity. Following the training, the fifteen participants were directly involved in a coordinate survey. The necessary social data was collected by tracing the boundaries of their customary territory. Verification was conducted to ensure that no areas remained unmapped. After verification, the social data was then finalized through the signing of a minutes of the meeting.

During the participatory mapping process, the Taduno Indigenous Community faced technical challenges. Because the Taduno customary territory encompasses not only land but also oceans, spanning tens of thousands of hectares, the mapping participants had to employ appropriate strategies to complete the initiative within the limited timeframe of just six days.

The participatory mapping initiative impacted an area of ​​79.944,99 hectares, including two adjacent customary territories: the Lipu La'alo and Lipu Lantibung customary territories. Meanwhile, the Taduno customary territory mapped and submitted for recognition reached 7.080 hectares. The social impact of the mapping and recognition initiative reached 869 people.