Customary Forests are the Source of Life for the Pulo, Ciburuy and Sancang Indigenous Communities

The Pulo, Ciburuy, and Sancang Indigenous Community under the auspices of PD AMAN Simahiang is part of the Indigenous Community in West Java. However, modernization and threats to indigenous areas such as resource management policies for commercial interests that often ignore the rights and aspirations of Indigenous Peoples, are major challenges.

Awareness of the importance of maintaining cultural identity and rights to customary territories has encouraged the Pulo, Ciburuy, and Sancang Indigenous Communities to focus on the issue of protecting and managing customary territories sustainably. With this background, they implemented a participatory mapping program for customary territories and community-based economic development with the support of Direct Funding from the Nusantara Fund. The main focus is divided into two, namely the establishment of the Indigenous Community Business Group (KUMA) for carp and tilapia cultivation in the Sancang Indigenous Community and mapping customary territories in the Pulo and Ciburuy Communities.

The Sancang Indigenous Community focuses on developing economic enterprises through the formation of the Indigenous Community Business Group (KUMA) for carp and tilapia cultivation. The first step is a customary meeting involving all levels of the community, a business plan is drawn up, and members of the business group are determined. After the planning is complete, the community begins to prepare the necessary facilities such as building fish ponds and procuring fish seeds.

The ponds that have been filled with fish seeds are managed with great care, including maintaining water quality, feeding, and ensuring fish health through the use of appropriate supplements. Once the fish reach a certain size, the process of separating them for breeding begins. This business group provides direct economic benefits to community members, increasing economic independence, and creating new job opportunities. As of this writing, the Sancang Community has harvested tilapia and carp several times. 

For participatory mapping in the Pulo and Ciburuy communities, it was opened with a customary deliberation involving customary leaders, youth, and local government. The deliberation aims to determine customary boundaries and form a mapping team. The mapping process is carried out by direct surveys in the field, determining geographical points, and compiling sketch maps. Mapping is then carried out directly in the field by documenting the geographical points of customary boundaries. Each mapped location is not only ensured for accuracy but also includes data collection on the culture and history of the region.

The mapping results are presented in the form of sketch maps which are then verified through further joint deliberations. In Pulo and Ciburuy, maps of customary areas have been produced covering a total area of ​​364,24 hectares for Pulo and 362,94 hectares for Ciburuy. After being agreed upon, the maps are registered with the Customary Area Registration Agency (BRWA), providing legitimacy for the customary areas that have been determined.

Participatory mapping is not just spatial documentation but also a strategic tool to ensure that customary areas are maintained. The existence of a registered customary area map provides communities with a strong legal basis to protect customary areas, ensuring that any activities carried out there remain in line with the principles of sustainability.