Agroforestry Practices of the Kayu Bulan Village Forest Farmers Group, Kapuas: Protecting the Living Space and Habitat of Endemic Animals

The rapid expansion of the monoculture plantation and mining industries in Kalimantan has impacted the lives of communities across the island. These industries pose threats, including the encroachment of community living space by corporate interests and threats to Kalimantan's fauna and flora. These are the challenges faced by the people of Kayu Bulan Village, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan. The presence of the extractive plantation industry threatens the gardens managed by the community. The majority of Kayu Bulan residents own and manage rubber, rattan, and fruit plantations. Furthermore, these companies threaten the habitat of endemic Kalimantan wildlife such as orangutans, gibbons, hornbills, and local medicinal plants found within the forest.

Through the initiative of the Kayu Bulan Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) and the Harawei Forest Farmers Group (KTH) with direct funding support Dana Nusantara, is pursuing participatory mapping and the establishment of agroforestry gardens to address these issues. The participatory mapping activity was conducted to determine the extent of the community-managed gardens and to identify resources within the area. The participatory mapping training involved 155 members of the Kayu Bulan Community Forest Management Unit (LPHD). A total of 32 hectares were mapped. The resulting map will also strengthen the legitimacy of the community gardens in the event of conflicts with companies. Regarding agroforestry, KTH Harawei has planted durian, longan, cashew, honey pineapple, chili, and other herbs.

The initiative, organized by the Kayu Bulan Forest Management Unit (LPHD) and the Harawei Community Forest Management Unit (KTH Harawei), has increased knowledge of participatory mapping within the Kayu Bulan Village community. The mapping activity provides the community with a map document that reinforces their status and knowledge of the resources in their area. Meanwhile, planting productive trees using agroforestry methods not only improves the community's economy but also rehabilitates the land from the negative impacts of monoculture plantation practices while protecting the habitat of endemic plants and animals.