Local Tribes Calls on CPO Companies to Leave Forest Undisturbed
29 April 2016 07:34 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Palangkaraya - Hundreds of villagers from Tumbang Kalang village in East Kotawaringin in Central Kalimantan, are protesting the destruction of forests that have been considered as traditionally sacred by local Dayak tribes by crude palm oil producer, PT Bangkitgiat Usaha Mandiri.
The forest in question is located in the hills of Talali - part of which has been transformed into palm plantations. The dense forested hills have been considered as sacred for generations by local Hindu Kaharingan adherents - a variant of the Hindu religion that is unique among the Dayaks of Kalimantan.
The hills are considered as sacred because the 10 hectares are have been designated as sandungs - traditional cemeteries wherein there are enclosures where families store the bones of their deceased ancestors. However, several parts of the hills have been turned into palm plantations - reducing the total are of the sandungs to a mere 15 x15 metre plot of land.
According to Antang Kalang's Dayak Tribal Chief, Hardy, the destruction of the Hindu Kaharingan sacred site have been reported to local authorities - but no responses have been received thus far. "The company had once promised to compensate the damage by providing plasma financing to 488 affected individuals, but that promise seems to have just vanished into thin are," said Hardy.
"The company had also said that they would employ members of our community in their operations," continued Hardy on Wednesday, April 27, 2016.
Previously on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, hundreds of Tumbang Kalang residents rallied in front of East Kotawaringin's Regional Representative Council (DPRD), to ask for the help of DPRD members to get Bangkitgiat Usaha Mandiri - which has been operating since 1996 - to honour their promises. Protesters also called on DPRD members to pay more attention to the destruction of traditional lands that are considered sacred by local tribes and communities
Heri Gunawan Lindu - a member of Bangkitgiat Usaha Mandiri's top figures - refused to respond to Tempo's enquiries about the destruction caused by the expansion of their palm plantations. "I don't know you - so I think it's best if I answer it on another occasion," said Lindu curtly.
The Head of East Kotawaringin's DPRD, John Krisli, said that there are ongoing disputes between Tumbang Kalang residents and Bangkitgiat Usaha Mandiri on so many issues - and the destruction of sacred burial ground is only the tip of the iceberg.
"The company showed us proof that they have indeed purchased the land - and as such has the right to utilise six out of the total of 10 hectares of the land in question, to be repurposed as plantations," said Krisli on Thursday, April 28, 2016
With regards to the plasma financing scheme, continued Krisli, the company said that it is ready to begin cooperating with local communities, land acquisition is the main hurdle that the company has yet to be able to overcome. "Out of the 440 hectares of land that we will be distributing through the plasma scheme, only 109 hectares have been acquired," said Krisli.
"They're asking for so much compensation for damages and so and so - it's as if they're forgetting that what the company's is doing right now will also benefit their communities in the longer run," said Krisli.
KARANA WIJAYA W.