Ompu Bolus Simanjuntak Indigenous Community Restores Customary Territory through Seedling Planting, Solid Compost Production, and Increasing Solidarity Movement

The Ompu Bolus Simanjuntak Descendant Indigenous Community is located in Sabungan Ni Huta IV Village, North Tapanuli. Until now, this Indigenous Community is still fighting to defend its customary territory from the unilateral claim of the company that controls the Huta Aek Napa customary territory which is used for an Industrial Plantation Forest (HTI) permit covering an area of ​​269.090 hectares. In 2011, the permit was revised to an area of ​​167.000 hectares for the Timber Forest Product Utilization Business (IUPHHK) in Natural Forests. In response to the land control concession, the Ompu Bolus Simanjuntak Indigenous Community denied anyone's claim to its customary territory. Because for the Indigenous Community, its customary territory is an identity inherent in Huta Aek Napa so it must be maintained. The Indigenous Community is also experiencing economic decline due to the loss of livelihoods from forest management. 

With the support of the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding, the Ompu Bolus Simanjuntak Indigenous Community rehabilitated its customary area by planting 17.000 seedlings of coffee, clove, cinnamon, jengkol and soursop plants on 20 hectares of land. The Indigenous Community also provided 300 kg of dry rice seeds and 4,5 kg of red bean seeds to meet the community's food needs. This program has a direct impact on 212 people (96 women and 116 men) of the Indigenous Community and an indirect impact on 2.000 people. The rehabilitation and provision of seeds are also expected to sustainably strengthen the economy of the Ompu Bolus Simanjuntak Indigenous Community.

In addition, in a series of training conducted, the Ompu Bolus Simanjuntak Indigenous Community has made 2,5 tons of solid compost fertilizer that will be used for coffee seedlings. In the training, the Indigenous Community also gained knowledge about customary spatial planning and participatory mapping. This program produced a map of customary areas and a map of the distribution of land owned by members of the Ompu Bolus Simanjuntak Indigenous Community. 

This program also strengthens the organization of the Ompu Bolus Simanjuntak Indigenous Community through mutual cooperation and growing awareness to work together to build a better Indigenous Community. Members of the Ompu Bolus Simanjuntak Indigenous Community are also increasingly capable and brave in expressing their opinions and ideas.