Bukit Berugak dan Dorik Bakah

The Dayak community in Semandang Kanan Village has a strong connection to their ancestral land and forests since ancient times. This story begins with a figure named Keminting who once lived in the Muguk Sukam area. However, his home was consumed by fire, forcing him to move to Batang Poring. Because the area was difficult to make a living and still under the risky Dutch colonial rule, Keminting eventually settled in Selantak Dalam.

Keminting married Kukuk and had two children, Gaduh and Banya. From this lineage, a large family developed that settled in the area. During the Japanese occupation, the indigenous people experienced injustice as the elderly who were unable to work were often killed. From Gaduh's lineage came a figure with high spiritual abilities known as Panglima Buyung.

Panglima Buyung is believed to possess extraordinary powers—able to fly, disappear, and master the art of war. With his abilities, he set off alone to Ketapang, the Japanese army's headquarters, and successfully killed their war leader. His head was brought back to the village and became a symbol of victory in a traditional ritual. Although he left no descendants due to spiritual taboos, the Dayak knowledge and wisdom he possessed were passed on to Lintam, who was then given the traditional title of Panglima Lintam. This story marks a historical milestone and serves as a spiritual foundation that strengthens the community's bond with their ancestral land and forests.

As time progressed, the Semandang Kanan Village community faced new challenges. The presence of external companies, such as palm oil plantations and bauxite mining, attempted to transform the forest into commercial land. This threat raised deep concerns because the forest is not only a source of livelihood but also a living space, identity, and cultural heritage from their ancestors.

The local community agreed to protect their forest area. With the support of the Tropenbos Indonesia Foundation, they initiated the Community Managed Conservation Area (AKKM) as a collective effort to defend their customary territory from various pressures. This initiative aims to:

• Uphold customary law and respect the wisdom of ancestors.
• Support sustainable livelihoods.
• Preserve and enhance natural resources.
• Conserve culture, traditions, and ancestral knowledge.
• Protect certain species and biodiversity in general.

The areas deemed most valuable by the community are proposed to be included in the ICCA (Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas) scheme as a form of concrete action to gain broader recognition.

Dorik (Hill) Berugak is a hilly area that holds historical, cultural, and spiritual value for the Dayak Simpakng Banua Tuda community. This hill consists of Berugak Induk and Berugak Anak, and is surrounded by other hills such as Sarang, Cangkong Gula Sekerek, Dorik Bakah, and Mengkasan Besar–Kecil. Some parts of the area are considered sacred due to their connection with legends and ancestral beliefs, thus their existence is strictly guarded by the community.

The condition of its forest is still relatively well-preserved with a combination of primary and secondary forests that grow naturally. Some trees are even over 100 years old with diameters reaching 1–2 meters. The steep hilly landscape with slopes of 45–60 degrees adds to the ecological function of this area as a water buffer, living space for wildlife, and provider of forest products for the community. The dry forest around Dorik Berugak also serves as an important source for customary needs, timber, and non-timber forest products.

The main function of AKKM in the Dayak Simpakng Banua Tuda community, including Burit Berugak and Dorik Bakah, is to protect water sources and serve as a living space for the indigenous community that includes settlements, sacred forests, tembawang, and habitats for flora and fauna. The community utilizes clean water from this area for daily needs, collects non-timber forest products such as honey, resin, firewood, and utilizes tembawang products in the form of fruits for both consumption and sale. In addition to supporting basic needs, this forest also plays an important role in traditional rituals and maintaining ecosystem balance based on local wisdom.

Management of the area is carried out generationally by the Indigenous Community Institution (LMD) led by the Temonggong (customary head). This institution functions to regulate the spatial planning of the customary area, resolve customary issues, and make decisions through the Customary Deliberation (Musdat) held annually with the local community. The community has both the right and responsibility to maintain this AKKM area, as it is considered a heritage from ancestors that not only holds historical value but also ensures the sustainability of future generations.

In maintaining the area, there are customary prohibitions in place, such as prohibiting poisoning fish, cutting down trees without permission, or damaging sacred sites. These rules are passed down orally from generation to generation, with strict sanctions in the form of customary punishment “paku real” for violators. Through this management system, significant benefits are felt by the community: the need for clean water is met, sources of livelihood are available, traditional rituals can continue to be performed, and household income is supported. With this customary-based management system, Dorik Berugak remains preserved as a conservation area as well as a cultural space for the community.

The contribution of the Community Managed Conservation Area (AKKM) to biodiversity in Semandang Kanan Village is evident through the area that serves as a living space for the indigenous community, a natural fortress protecting the forest, water sources, wildlife, and various plants of ecological and cultural value. Through local wisdom and customary rules passed down through generations, the community is able to maintain a balance between the utilization of natural resources and conservation efforts, making the existence of AKKM a tangible example of how customary-based management practices can directly contribute to the preservation of biodiversity at the local level. Here is the biodiversity in Semandang Kanan Village;

Flora:

• Wood
• Bengkirai
• Tokam
• Belian (Ulin)
• Meranti
• Kompas
• Bangoris
• Keladan
• Tapang
• Menyan
• Gotah Merah
• Nyatuh
• Mengkubung
• Ngkajang
• Jabon
• Paket
• Kelanso
• Baloba
• Majak
• Fruit/Flower
• Durian Fruit
• Langsat Fruit
• Duku Fruit
• Nceriak Fruit
• Kapol Fruit
• Rambutan Fruit
• Sibo Fruit
• Jatak Fruit
• Muang Fruit
• Kemantan Fruit
• Kanaria Fruit
• Ruko Fruit
• Lempaung Fruit
• Pauh Fruit
• Mangis Fruit
• Kembayau Fruit
• Rangkung Fruit
• Cempedak Fruit
• Remayong (Salak) Fruit
• Linsum Fruit
• Asam Kumbang Fruit
• Bacang Fruit
• Blood Starfruit
• Sotol Fruit
• Kaliampu Fruit
• Pekawai Fruit
• Orchid Flowers
• Medicinal Plants
• Ginseng (Stamina Booster)
• Pasak Bumi (Stamina Booster)
• Ntomu Root (Medicine for Jaundice (Liver))
• Kumis Kucing (Medicine for Back Pain)
• Katepeng Leaves (Medicine for Ringworm (itching))
• Mabe (Medicine for Ringworm (itching))
• Tuba Nabo (Medicine for Stomachache)
• Dragon Scale Root (Medicine for Itching)
• Simpe Komakng (Medicine for Swelling)
• Langer Boras (Medicine for Headache)
• Baluru Root (Medicine for Headache)
• Kombang Ujan Flower (Medicine for Crying Children)
• Ketutuh Dogak (Medicine for Children Who Walk Slowly)
• Nsabang Merah Flower (Medicine for Village Healing (Ritual))
• Komakng Uno (Medicine for Village Healing (Ritual))
• Jungkal Darah (Medicine for Back Pain)
• Balek Angin (Medicine for Stomachache)
• Kumpe Buok (Medicine for Long Hair)

Fauna:

• Mammals
• Wild Boar
• Deer
• Mouse Deer
• Stag
• Squirrel
• Pangolin
• Bear
• Orangutan
• Bontang (Proboscis Monkey)
• Kerak (Monkey)
• Kelai (Kelasi)
• Lutung
• Kelempiau
• Porcupine
• Rangke (Angkis/large rat)
• Nek Ncu (A type of rat)
• Keseduk (A type of rat)
• Aves/Birds
• Hornbill
• Tingang
• Tajak
• Ruai
• Sempidan
• Sengayan
• Ruai Burun
• Rock Thrush
• Pipit
• Mpuruk
• Kunsit
• Bayan
• Tilit
• Bubut
• Kruak
• Eagle
• Ghost
• Cocap
• Fish
• Adung
• Tapah
• Patung
• Bamal
• Baong
• Seluang
• Bantak
• Belauk (Gabus)
• Kelabau
• Tilan
• Tempujuk
• Karansan
• Shrimp
• Cok Krosek
• Kotam (Crab)
• Konying
• Kiontong
• Tampalak
• Tbalakng
• Somah

In addition to the forest, there are also important sites protected by the Dayak Simpakng Banua Tuda community, namely;

1. Old Cemetery

Traditional cemetery of the Dayak Simpakng Banua Tuda

Sandung is a place for burial (Sandung for high-ranking leaders, Sandung for opposing leaders, and Sandung Kek Lonak)

2. Clean Water Source/Spring

• Sungei Pakok (Clean water source)
• Sungei Takorek (The waterfall becomes the main spring)
• Sungei Baruakng
• Sungei Bukakng
• Sungei Kampokng Sayang
• Sungei Maraek
• Sungei Loa
• Sungei Rirek
• Sungei Sekutu
• Sungei Terjun Ansah

There are currently no specific regulations governing the recognition of AKKM in Semandang Kanan Village. However, the indigenous community along with local customary institutions is working to have AKKM recognized as a Customary Forest through government support and applicable legislation.