Leuweung Titipan

History and Initiatives of Community Managed Conservation Areas

The name Kasepuhan Cibedug is always associated with the existence of a megalithic site in Cibedug and a river also named Cibedug. The Customary Area of Kasepuhan Cibedug, or what is referred to as the Wewengkon Kasepuhan Cibedug, consists of 5 villages: Cibedug, Lebak Kalahang, Cihara, Cinakem, and Cibledug. The community that inhabits this area is locally referred to as incu-putu (descendants). The people in the Wewengkon Cibedug, like other indigenous communities in Banten Kidul, have migrated based on ancestral visions with different periods. Kasepuhan Cibedug itself has migrated at least seven times, starting from Sajira, Lebak Menteng, Cidikit, Sinagar, Bojong Neros, Sanghiyang, and Cibedug. At the time of entering the Cibedug area, there were already people from the Citorek area working in that region. The arrival of the incu-putu Cibedug did not face opposition, as there is a shared narrative/history that it is believed that the time will come for the incu-putu who have rightful claims to inhabit the Cibedug area.

The Indigenous Community of Kasepuhan Cibedug has a cultural philosophy/proverb that is believed and relates to local wisdom in protecting and managing their territory. This philosophy includes ‘Gunung teu meunang dilebur, leuweung teu meunang dirusak’ which means the mountain must not be destroyed and the forest must not be damaged. This philosophy aligns with the practices/local wisdom of the Indigenous Community of Kasepuhan Cibedug in maintaining a protected area called Leuweung Titipan or which means Guardian Forest. One of the reasons that encourages the community in the protection of natural resources is through the proverb ‘Penyangga kahirupan supaya hurip’ which means the supporter of life must live. This implies that mountains, water, forests, and all natural resources are supporters of life whose existence must be preserved. Leuweung Titipan itself is an area of ancient forest or an area that has a connection with ancestors because it contains areas considered sacred—marked by historical sites, such as: terraced punden or boundary markers.

Management Practices

In general, there are no specific regulations regarding what can and cannot be done in the guardian forest area. The Indigenous Community of Kasepuhan Cibedug maintains this area by not damaging and not doing anything harmful to the guardian forest area. The Indigenous Community of Kasepuhan Cibedug believes in their ancestors that the forest area is closely related to supernatural powers that also help maintain the existence of the forest. Therefore, their knowledge is passed down through generations to preserve the forest area. If this is not adhered to, they believe they will face misfortune/disaster, known as Kabendon. All management related to the Leuweung Titipan area is regulated and supervised by the Customary Institution of Kasepuhan Citorek, which consists of:

- Kokolot, serving as the customary leader.

- Wakil kokolot, responsible for dealing with external parties.

- Pangiwa, responsible for customary government and village order.

- Ronda kokolot, responsible for guarding Imah Gede during the day and night.

- Amil, responsible for religious matters.

- Bengkong, responsible for circumcision matters.

- Paraji/ Ma Beurang, responsible for childbirth matters.

- Palawari, responsible for assisting in celebrations and events.

Contributions to Biodiversity Conservation

The Indigenous Community of Kasepuhan Cibedug preserves Leuweung Titipan through generations and focuses on forest management based on community knowledge. This management contributes to the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity because they firmly hold philosophies such as ‘Gunung teu meunang dilebur, leuweung teu meunang dirusak’ and ‘Penyangga kahirupan supaya hurip’. This philosophy means to continue to protect and preserve the nature entrusted by the ancestors so that the supporters of life remain safeguarded. Some high-value commodities within Leuweung Titipan include: Aren, Bangle, Tenjo, Pisang Emas, and Javanese Leopard Fauna. By protecting Leuweung Titipan, the Indigenous Community of Kasepuhan Cibedug strives to maintain their culture by preserving important historical sites—closely related to their spirituality with their ancestors as well.

Recognition and Protection of Rights Holders/ AKKM

In 2003, the Mount Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS) made almost the entire customary area of Kasepuhan Cibedug part of the core area of the National Park. This limited access for the Indigenous Community of Kasepuhan Cibedug due to the prohibition of community activities. In 2019, the Indigenous Community of Kasepuhan Cibedug demanded their rights to be returned through the customary forest scheme. However, this effort has not yielded results. The Indigenous Community of Kasepuhan Cibedug has a legal basis regarding the Recognition, Protection, and Empowerment of Customary Law Communities through Regional Regulation of Lebak Regency Number 8 of 2015. The Indigenous Community of Kasepuhan Cibedug has obtained special regulations as a legal subject recognized by the state through the Recognition of the Existence of Indigenous Communities in the Banten Kidul Customary Unity Area in Lebak Regency with the Lebak Regent's Decree No. 430/Kep.298/Disdikbud/2013.