The potential, utilization and management of forest biodiversity for the livelihood of local communities in Ratah Watershed, East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Forest biodiversity is crucial for the survival of local communities in Mahakam Ulu District, East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia, especially for the Punan Dayak, Bahau Bateq Hwang Lung Gelawang, and Bakumpai Dayak tribes who live in the Ratah Watershed area. For generations, local communities in the Ratah Watershed have had local wisdom to protect the resources in the forest around them. Unfortunately, various problems threaten the existence of forest biodiversity in the Ratah Watershed. The purpose of this study is to show the identification results of the potential, utilization, and management of biodiversity according to local communities in Mahakam Ulu District, East Kalimantan Province, and the threats faced. The data was obtained through interviews with key informants, FGDs, participatory mapping, and field observations with the people of Nyari Bungan Village, Long Gelawang Village, Danum Paroy Village, and Muara Ratah Village. The result of the study indicated that local communities in the Ratah Watershed find it more inconvenient to utilize forest resources because of the diminishing potential for biodiversity. The low level of welfare, unclear village boundaries, overlapping village areas with private companies (timber companies, oil palm) are the main problems. Conservation of biodiversity from forests in the Ratah Watershed requires the cooperation of various parties, especially in increasing community capacity in managing forest resources for better environment.