Rimak Birapati (Hutan Birapati)

The existence of the Semadin Village community is inseparable from the history of three villages (hamlets), Lengkong, Semadin, and Mulung. The Lengkong community initially settled in Laman Kedoma by the Pelubang River, then moved to Laman Punok and Natai Lobo. Later, they settled on the banks of the Melawi River, forming the Lengkong Mulong settlement. This later became Kampung Lengkong. It is estimated that Kampung Lengkong was established in 1891. However, the activities of the Lengkong community are located in the AKKM area. The Mulong community initially settled in Laman Lalang, then moved to Laman Ilik, then to Laman Ulu, and some to Laman Tiga Lawang. They later moved to Laman Guhup Tuha. After that, they moved to Laman Guhup Mudak. Following that, they moved to Laman Tanjong. Finally, they moved to Mulung. The move to Mulung also occurred twice, initially near the Kesopuk River. Finally, they settled by the Mulong River.

The Laman Guhup Mudak is located within the AKKM area. Moreover, since the beginning, the community's activities have been in the AKKM area. The name Semadin is derived from the Semadin River, which is located across or crosses the Melawi River. Initially, the elders of Semadin settled in Kampung Tapang, downstream from the current Semadin settlement. They then moved to the Semadin settlement, with the betang house built cooperatively by the residents. It is estimated that people began moving from the Betang house around 1935. However, the activities of the Semadin residents from the past until now are around the AKKM. After the Pinoh area was fully controlled by the Dutch East Indies Government around 1911, trade began to flourish. Natural wealth began to be traded. All communities, including Mulong, Lengkong, Semadin, Kebebu, Tanjung Arak, Tanjung Paoh, and surrounding residents began to utilize the natural wealth in the AKKM area.

Harvesting resin, rattan, making boats, various types of fruits, planting rice, hunting, and other economic activities. The intense utilization led to overlapping claims over management areas, a condition reported by Kroti to the Dutch East Indies Government, District of Nanga Pinoh, Dul Kasim, in 1928. Dul Kasim reinforced the agreement on the division of work areas. The location of the agreement was made at the cempedak tree, locally known as Tebodak Popat. This place can still be seen today. The division includes Mulong, Semadin, Lengkong, Kebebu, Tanjung Arak, and Tanjung Paoh. This was further strengthened by the division of Forest Product Utilization Rights (HPHH) managed by the Katab Kebahan Residents Association (IWKK) around 1999. To this day, the boundaries of this division are still recognized. In the past, this area was managed according to the division of villages (Dusun), namely Kampong Mulong, Kampong Lengkong, Kampong Semadin, Kampong Kebebu, Kampong Tanjung Arak, Kampong Tanjung Paoh. Currently, it falls under the administrative area of Semadin Lengkong Village. The area is approximately 953.64 Hectares (Ha) with a wealth of various types of wood, clean water sources, honey, resin, local fruits, various types of freshwater fish, and various types of Non-Wood Forest Products (HHBK), types of orchids, medicinal plants, and the wealth of biodiversity in the surrounding hills.

The Indigenous Katab Kebahan community of Dusun Mulung, Lengkong, and Semadin has an area that is protected and managed through generations, namely Rimak Birapati or the Birapati Customary Forest. Rimak Birapati is a forest protected by the community and is a source of springs from several regions. In addition, Rimak Birapati is also utilized as HHBK and a hunting spot. Rimak Birapati is also a hilly forest. The names of the area locations include: Bukit Pelubang, Benuah Kilin, Dataran Badal, Bukit Liang Todong, Tapang Bonong Mentawak, Natai Tebodak, Gontas Cekeruk, Gontas Kayu Badi, Gontas Dalam, Sarai Sengkumang, Lombang Rabu, Montas Mengkabang, Gontas Balok, Lombang Ketipang Darah, Lubung Kebidang, Batu Bakah, Batu Rusi, Tebedak Pole, which are inherited through generations, as symbols of wealth and glory, media for learning customs and culture, a medium for communication, and unifying the Katab Kebahan Tribe, especially those residing in the administrative area of Semadin Lengkong Village, Dusun Semadin, Lengkong, and Mulung. Although it has been protected through generations, the community received advocacy from external parties such as SUAR and WWF Sintang to officially form the Pasak Birapati Institution in 2019.

The AKKM Birapati Customary Forest is an important area for the community. One of them is the location where the village head died during the Dutch East Indies government, named Sehu. The location is between Gontas Dalam and Liang Tebander. Sehu died when a tree fell on him while he was making a boat in the forest. Another important place is Bukit Seliah, which is a relatively flat peak. About 600 Square Meters. This peak is the boundary between Semadin Lengkong, Dusun Gala, Desa Landau Tubun, Dusun Berambai Desa Pelingang, and Desa Manggala. At the top of Seliah, there is a location called Lunang Badak, which is a drinking place for various types of fauna or animals. According to the community, there used to be a rhinoceros drinking at this place in ancient times. There used to be blue water here. It is now overgrown with trees, with the former depression estimated to be between 30 cm to 100 cm deep, covering an area of 10 square meters. According to local residents, this area was once marked with cement stakes by Francis. The Mulung residents who participated in placing these stakes are now old. It is not known for certain what Francis's purpose was in placing the stakes. However, among the community, these stakes are considered a sign of the presence of diamonds. Related to the mine, Francis even once intended to relocate the villages of Mulong, Kebebu, Tanjung Ara, Lengkong, Tanjung Paoh, and Kelakak. However, due to high costs or limited capabilities, this intention was canceled. Because, based on community information, if the mine is opened, it will have disastrous effects on the surrounding residents.

Rimak Birapati is owned communally, meaning the Indigenous Katab Kebahan community of Dusun Mulung, Lengkong, and Semadin has rights to utilize and obligations to protect the Rimak Birapati area. The main rules that apply in Rimak Birapati are that illegal logging, theft, and hunting of wildlife are prohibited. The agreements made through generations are based on blood ties (descendants)—meaning each area can be utilized by children and their descendants even if they are outside the village. Around the Rimak Birapati area, there are no activities related to food, but the edges of the Rimak Birapati area are utilized as a water source, for planting horticultural crops, and rubber. This area is managed by the Pasak Birapati Institution, which has the following structure:

1. Protector and Advisor (Penggawa), plays a role in protecting and advising.
2. Foster (Village Head), plays a role in conducting guidance and evaluating activities.
3. Leader/Chairperson, serves as a symbol of policy, customs, culture, initiator, and cultural source.
4. Deputy Chairperson, plays a role in implementing activities, deepening customs, and culture.
5. Secretary, plays a role in recording work programs and reporting.
6. Treasurer, plays a role in recording and reporting finances.
7. Commander Field, plays a role in strategizing, cadre training, security, and execution.
8. Minister Field, plays a role in economic, social, and cultural empowerment.
9. Women and Children Field, plays a role in protecting women and children.
10. Hulubalang Field, serves as an internal and external liaison, communication, and information.
11. Religious Field, ensures that religious activities proceed.
12. Community Members, are all residents of Dusun Mulung, Lengkong, and Semadin.

The management and protection of Rimak Birapati contribute to the preservation of forest ecosystems and the biodiversity within them. Rimak Birapati is considered a source of life for the Indigenous Katab Kebahan community of Dusun Mulung, Lengkong, and Semadin. The utilization of Rimak Birapati includes fulfilling needs for clothing, food, and shelter. The community can utilize fruits such as: Durian, Kemantan, Lengkeng, Gandaria, Rambai, Keranjik, Jengkol, Petai, Mawang, Mangga, Manggis, and Tamang.

The utilization of pandan and rattan plants includes: rattan weaving, Biruk leaves, Songgang leaves, kajang leaf weaving, Samer leaf weaving, oyam leaf weaving, maram leaf roofing, and bamboo weaving. The utilization of bark for walls and roofs of huts (langkau uma) called Kukol. Clean water is utilized up to the households of Dusun Semadin, Dusun Lengkong, and Dusun Mulong, as well as for irrigation of ponds and rice fields, and the utilization of medicinal plants such as: Akar Pontang, Akar Kempolas, Daun Pawas, Ketipang Darah, and others. Rimak Birapati holds cultural values, symbols of identity, and serves as a medium for communication and unification for the Katab Kebahan community residing in several administrative areas.

The Indigenous Katab Kebahan community of Dusun Mulung, Lengkong, and Semadin does not yet have a legal basis or specific regulations governing the recognition and protection of rights or the protection of the community's management area. The Rimak Birapati area is located within the HGU concession of PT Inhutani III Nanga Pinoh.