Rasau Sebaju (Hutan Rawa Sebaju)

Once, Dusun Sebaju was a Child of the State from the Kebahan Kingdom. A leader of Sebaju named Itam received the title Mayang Pati, who built the Sebaju village which is a fairly large swamp. Mayang Pati began to cultivate the area of the forest and the results were very satisfying. The fertility of Sebaju was heard in various corners of the village and many people moved to the area. Many came from the Nanga Kebebu settlement and its surroundings, for years they cultivated what is often referred to as neratak (cultivation). Not only cultivating, they then married in the area and began to create a village named Laman Klansau (the first settlement of the Sebaju people today). In this area, the number of doors reached about 75. However, that area has disappeared due to an outbreak of disease. Thus it was dismantled and made the people living in that area move out of fear of the disease outbreak. Currently, the remnants of the Laman buildings can no longer be found. This location is now the settlement of the Sebaju people. The Sebaju settlement is located at the confluence of the Melawi River, namely the Sebaju River and the Kebebu River. The settlement is part of a peat swamp area which is referred to by the local community as Rasau Labang Sebaju.

The Indigenous Community of Dusun Sebaju has an area that is managed and protected through generations, this area is Rasau Sebaju (Sebaju Swamp Forest), Mungguk, Labang, and Gupung Klansau.

1. Rasau Sebaju is a swamp forest area located in the administrative region of Dusun Sebaju, Nanga Kebebu Village, Nanga Pinoh District, Melawi Regency with a topography of peat swamp forest covering an area of approximately 198.33 hectares. Rasau Sebaju is divided into 4 zones, consisting of Protected Zone, Utilization Zone, Planting Zone, and Traditional Zone. The Rasau Sebaju area is a collection of various lowland areas or labang (local term for lake). The name Rasau has certain characteristics and historical significance. The names include Labang Tihang, Sungai Bantok, Rasau Ramin, Rasau Melayang, Labang Pintu, Labang Buhin. The purpose of zoning is as follows:

• a) Protected Zone, aims to protect the flora, fauna, seed sources, and is utilized for research, education, cultivation support, and tourism. This zone is very rich in various types of plants and animals, especially lowland peat swamp plants and animals.
• b) Utilization Zone, aims for sustainable utilization of timber forest products and non-timber forest products.
• c) Planting Zone, aims to restore the ecological function of the area and economic interests. Planting can be in the form of wood and non-wood for economic purposes and land rehabilitation. Planting will be done cooperatively and considering the layout to create beauty to establish an ecotourism area—which is the follow-up plan of Pasak Sebaju.
• d) Traditional Zone, aims to protect historical, cultural, religious values, customs, and can also be utilized for research, education, cultivation support, and tourism.

2. Mungguk is a sandy land area; appearing and disappearing and located in the protected zone and is sacred.

3. Labang is a waterlogged area like a lake that is located in the river flow, but has the characteristic of calm water. Labang is a source of fish.

4. Gupung Klansau, besides being a source of livelihood from fruits, this area is a place used for rituals in ancient times.

The joint initiative created by the indigenous community and external institutions such as SUAR and WWF Indonesia, ultimately strengthened the advocacy process related to the governance of customary institutions through the establishment of Pasak Sebaju. With the assistance of these external institutions, a mutual agreement was established among the community to protect the Rasau Sebaju area and sustainably utilize non-timber forest products. This initiative is also strengthened by customary regulations and local wisdom to protect and maintain Rasau Sebaju and has survived to this day. The role of SUAR with the support of WWF and several donor institutions provides facilitation activities to assist the community, including in building business plans for alternative livelihoods and support for infrastructure to develop ecotourism plans within Rasau Sebaju and utilization of resources such as Asam Maram and Stingless Bee Honey cultivation.

The management and protection of the Rasau Sebaju area are accountable and supervised by customary institutions and village authorities. The Indigenous Community of Dusun Sebaju established a customary institution named Pasak Sebaju. In 2014, the strong desire of the Dusun Sebaju community to manage the Rasau Sebaju area gave rise to the idea of creating a management institution. After a long discussion process, in mid-2014, the Pasak Sebaju institution was formed. The management of this institution consists of the residents of Dusun Sebaju. The institution is also equipped with administrative devices such as the institution's rules. These rules are reinforced by the establishment by the village head. In mid-2015, the Pasak Sebaju institution began to formulate a strategic management plan, create customary rules, and then further reinforced by proposing the creation of a village regulation for the management of customary areas. In 2014, efforts to save this ancestral heritage were strengthened by the establishment of the Rasau Sebaju management institution named the Pasak Sebaju Institution.

The Pasak Sebaju Institution is an institution based in Dusun Sebaju that operates in the field of protection, management, and sustainable utilization of Rasau Sebaju through the local wisdom of the Dusun Sebaju community. The Pasak Sebaju Institution also has a structure equipped with the duties and functions of each manager. This structure consists of:

• 1) Advisor, serves as a place for consultation and coordination regarding institutional affairs, Rasau Sebaju, and the customs that apply in Rasau Sebaju, as well as providing views on the institution's operations.
• 2) Chairperson, serves to lead the Pasak Sebaju Institution. In addition, has the duty to coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the institution's work. Responsible for the progress or decline of the Pasak Sebaju institution. The Chairperson also acts as a delegate and representative for external affairs.
• 3) Vice Chairperson, serves to replace the role and responsibilities of the chairperson when absent, coordinates internal meetings of the institution.
• 4) Secretary, serves to carry out administrative roles and institutional documentation.
• 5) Treasurer, serves to manage financial administration.
• 6) Customary Section, serves in strengthening customs related to the management of Rasau Sebaju, as well as enforcing customary law related to Rasau Sebaju.
• 7) Public Relations Section, serves to seek and disseminate information related to the institution and Rasau Sebaju. Conducts promotions and builds networks of tour guides.
• 8) Empowerment and Economy Section, serves to identify capacity building needs. Facilitates meetings for capacity building.
• 9) Security Section, serves to monitor Rasau Sebaju. And early detection of potential disturbances to the existence of Rasau Sebaju.

The establishment of the management institution is also equipped with rules. It is called the Pasak Sebaju Institutional Order. It consists of principles firmly held by the Pasak Sebaju Institution, namely hilang pokat beganti pokat (deliberation), mutual cooperation, openness, mutual respect, responsibility, customary adherence, discipline, and flexibility. The system in the management is also well regulated. Among them, decision-making is based on the principle of hilang pokat ganti pokat (deliberation), mutual respect, and customary adherence. Then the term of office for management is five years. The accountability report of the management is conducted once a year through a management meeting. Work meetings are held three times a year to evaluate and plan work programs. Members of the Pasak Sebaju Institution consist of ordinary members, namely the community residing in Dusun Sebaju/Pasak Sebaju. Extraordinary members are from outside the community who are considered to have the ability and concern in assisting the protection, management, and utilization of Rasau Sebaju. Each member has the obligation to comply with the existing regulations in the management, actively participate in institutional activities, cooperate, and be responsible for institutional activities.

There are regulations established in each zoning in Rasau Sebaju, such as:

a) Protected Zone essentially prohibits any logging and hunting activities, if there are, sanctions will be imposed according to Langkah Lalu and Adat Basa. Anyone who engages in logging and hunting in the protected zone, whether indigenous people or outsiders, will face severe penalties. Moreover, anyone who wishes to enter the protected zone in Rasau Sebaju must seek permission from the Pasak Sebaju Institution.

b) Utilization Zone has a sustainable principle, which means whoever cuts down must replant. If one tree is cut down, then the logger must plant and care for 10 trees. The utilization of timber is limited only to the Dusun Sebaju community who must also seek permission from the Pasak Sebaju Institution. The maximum utilization for each person is only to meet the needs of one household within a year. Then, the person who cuts down, together with the Pasak Sebaju Institution, ensures the number of trees cut down, then multiplied by 10 to ensure the number of trees that must be planted. The wood will be marked so that the logger can care for it and the ownership of the wood remains under the Pasak Sebaju Institution. Furthermore, if one wishes to enter the utilization zone, they must still seek permission from the Pasak Sebaju Institution. If not, they will face sanctions according to Langkah Lalu and Adat Basa.

c) Planting Zone also establishes rules that anyone wishing to enter must seek permission from the Pasak Sebaju Institution. If not, they will face sanctions according to Langkah Lalu and Adat Basa.

d) Traditional Zone also establishes rules that anyone wishing to enter must seek permission from the Pasak Sebaju Institution.

The following is an explanation of customary law/customary sanctions established by the Pasak Sebaju Institution in managing the Rasau Sebaju area:

1) Langkah Lalu, is a wrongful act by an outsider entering Rasau Sebaju without informing the Pasak Sebaju Institution. The arrival of that person intentionally without informing the Pasak Sebaju Institution, which has authority over the area or place. In relation to the management of the Rasau Sebaju customary area, if someone comes to Rasau Sebaju without informing the Pasak Sebaju management of their arrival, then that person will be subject to the customary law of Langkah Lalu. The penalty is to pay 40-60 real. One real is equal to 1 gram of gold. In addition to Langkah Lalu, someone who comes without reporting can also be subject to Adat Basa. However, the customary sanctions can be one or a combination, only the size of the penalty is regulated. The maximum is 60 real, given if there is no coordination at all.

2) Gunung Timbul (compensation), it is not uncommon for livestock to roam into the Rasau Sebaju Forest area and cause damage to plants in the Rasau Sebaju Forest area. The owner of the livestock can be required to pay customary compensation of Gunung Timbul ranging from 2 real to 10 real. The amount of payment depends on the discretion of the Rasau Sebaju management. If a field is invaded by wild pigs, then the pig must be killed, and compensation is provided according to the damage and agreement. Related to the management of Rasau Sebaju, if there are livestock entering Rasau Sebaju and damaging plants in Rasau Sebaju, especially plants planted by individuals or by the Pasak Sebaju Institution, then the livestock owner will be subject to Gunung Timbul.

3) Pemali Kubur, if graves, tombs, and pantar are damaged either intentionally or unintentionally, the customary law of Pemali Kubur is imposed with a penalty of 20 real to 40 real (1 real equals 1 gram of gold). In Rasau Sebaju itself, there are graves and several areas considered sacred by the people. For example, in Laman Klansau there is a sacred grave in this area. Sacred areas include Labang Tihang, Rasau Melayang, Labang Lancong, Mungguk Pinang, and Labang Buhin. If someone damages them, they will be subject to the customary law of Pemali Kubur.

The management and protection of Rasau Sebaju contribute to the preservation of forest ecosystems and the biodiversity within it. Rasau Sebaju has various non-timber forest products that are beginning to be utilized by the community to become products with economic value and impact on the increase of community income. With a joint commitment, various agreements were then established by the indigenous community of Rasau Sebaju to set conservation steps within the forest which is now recognized by the state as customary forest. The benefits obtained directly from Rasau Sebaju include, the community can utilize HHBK within it, such as Asam Maram. Some of these natural products are processed into syrup and sold. In addition, the existence of Rasau Sebaju, which is maintained, has ecological impacts, for example, it still functions as a water catchment area so that the potential for large-scale flood disasters does not occur. Considering that currently around Rasau has experienced many land use changes such as oil palm plantations and others. Rasau Sebaju is also still a source of income for the community, especially those who fish in the Sebaju River and the lakes around Rasau. The existence of various types of fish is still maintained so that the community can utilize it for daily protein needs or sell it. Some types of flora found in Rasau Sebaju include: Jelutung, Asam Gandis, Meranti, Kenyahuk Bantuk, Tengkawang, Keleban, Temau, Rotan, Kantong Semar, Kajang, Anggrek, Sarang Semut, Pasak Bumi, Gaharu Buaya, Damar, and Ramin. Meanwhile, various fauna found in Rasau Sebaju include: Squirrel, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Barking Deer, Pangolin, Black Magpie, Magpie Robin, Green Pigeon, Tajak, Green/Yellow Arowana, bees.

The Indigenous Community of Dusun Sebaju (Dayak Katab Kebahan) has written rules regarding the management of the Rasau Sebaju area through the Minister of Environment and Forestry Decree SK.6467/MENLHK-PSKL/PKTHA/PSL.1/8/2022. The Indigenous Community of Dusun Sebaju (Dayak Katab Kebahan) also has specific regulations that recognize their existence as a legitimate legal subject as Customary Law Community through the Decree of the Regent of Melawi, West Kalimantan Province Number 660/171 of 2019. The written regulations are outlined in Village Regulation Number 2 of 2015 concerning the Establishment and Protection and Management of Customary Areas in Nanga Kebebu Village and the Pasak Sebaju Institution Regulation Number 1 of 2015 concerning the Protection and Management of Rasau Sebaju Resources.