Hutan Sumber Mata Air Desa Uiasa

The forest in Uiasa Village is categorized as customary forest (forbidden forest or in Helong language called Pukul Lulin). This forest also has a water spring within it. The forest is important to the community because it has areas where no activities are allowed. In maintaining the forest, the community has a ritual called Hui Kahit, which means an agreement with the Ruler. This ritual aims to reinforce the function of preserving water resources and the forest. The community hopes that now and in the future, no one, including the government, should exploit the forest. Additionally, there is a stone cave in the forest that is used as a ritual place—to pray to Dapa Lai Dui (God of the Sky) and Tepa Dale (God of the Earth). This area has been protected by the community for generations, but it was only in 2020 that the protection of the forest and water springs was formalized and proposed by Mr. Anus Pong, Mr. Calvin Massa, and Mr. Thom Katu representing the customary institution. Furthermore, for the protection of this area, there is support from external institutions such as Yayasan PIKUL, GEF SGP, and WGII, which play a role in providing an understanding of the importance of protecting both the watershed and the forest, for the balance of the ecosystem as well as for the sustainability of the lives of the community that depends on the water sources. Finally, the Village Government, Customary Institution, and the Uiasa Village Community agreed to protect and care for the Water Spring and Forest area of Uiasa Village.

Since ancient times, there have been customary rules governing forest management. The main rule in this management is that no one is allowed to take wood or clear the forest; the community is only permitted to clear underbrush, trim large trees, and the trees must not be killed. If someone violates these rules, the community believes it will become a disgrace for themselves, and the offender will be more cautious in the future. Currently, the customary rules are only oral and passed down through generations. The community has full communal rights to utilize and manage the forest. The management is also overseen by the Village Government and the Customary Management Institution (LPA)—which was established in 2012 with a structure of a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and 10 other members. The community utilizes the water spring pond for daily life and does not take forest products. In addition to the Uiasa Village community, other village communities are also allowed to utilize the water spring for daily life. Community awareness and new initiatives have increased to further protect and maintain the forest due to the diminishing state of their area, which has been allocated for road infrastructure and housing development.

The community protects and maintains the forest because it is seen as an area that has water catchment and indirectly provides benefits to the people in Uiasa Village. The water spring never runs dry and is always available throughout the year. Therefore, the community performs ritual practices to communicate with their ancestors to give thanks and also ask for protection in maintaining the forest. By practicing this conservation, the community is aware and controls its activities in harvesting forest products. Thus, the forest area is truly preserved and protected sustainably. In addition, the protection of this area contributes to the preservation of the forest ecosystem and the flora and fauna around the water spring and forest area, such as: Flora (Kusambi Tree, Tamarind Tree, Banyan Tree, Petes/Lamtoro Gum, Red Wood Tree, Kulla or Amaranth Tree, Forest Kapok Tree, Gamal Tree, Kedondong Tree, Nitas Tree, Kom Tree) and Fauna (Turtle Dove, Pump Bird, Sparrow, and Parrot).

There is currently no legal basis or specific regulation that recognizes the protection and acknowledgment of the village community or the protected areas.