Indigenous Communities Have Had Their Own Management in Managing Ecosystems Since Ancient Times

Medan-Datuk Sati Diraja/ Batin Sibokol-Bokol, Datuk Dr. Griven presents examples of local wisdom and traditional knowledge practices of the Rantaubaru village community in Riau Province in managing ecosystems in front of participants of the Seminar and Workshop on Opportunities and Challenges for Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Communities of North Sumatra held at the Hermes Palace Hotel Medan, Thursday (27/02/25). "For hundreds of years, indigenous communities have had their own ways of managing nature without exploiting it. Natural resources may be used for human needs but with the condition of not exceeding limits, not violating taboos and prohibitions, and following customary rules," said Batin Sibokol-Bokol, Datuk Griven.

According to him, this can be seen from the customary expression: if cutting down, do it in moderation, wood for houses as needed, wood for halls as needed, wood for palaces as needed. Gathering does not destroy, gathering appropriately. If clearing by cutting, cut selectively, clearing does not violate customs, cutting does not violate laws. Furthermore, Datuk Sati Diraja conveyed the taboos and prohibitions in utilizing forest products. After giving the presentation, Dr. H. Griven H. Putera took a photo with the seminar participants. "Forest products can be utilized but there are taboos and prohibitions."

In the customary expression it is stated: what are the taboos in cutting, taboo to cut solitary trees, taboo to cut flowering trees, taboo to cut fruit-bearing trees," he said. Natural resources from the sea and rivers can also be utilized by the community. Even according to this Batin Sibokol-Bokol, the customary leaders can organize this management, where the results can be utilized by the community together. "In our country, in Rantaubaru, Riau, there is an activity called Lelang Suak Sungai which is held once a year. The results will be used for public welfare," he said.

Furthermore, Datuk Sati explained that the auction of Suak Sungai is the process of auctioning who will manage the suak, river, ditch, and sluice in the Ulayat of Datuk Sati Diraja for a year. Whoever offers the highest price will get the management rights to the river, Suak, lake, or sluice. "The money from the auction will be distributed by Datuk Sati Diraja and other customary officials, such as for orphans, operational costs of places of worship, mosque youth activities, young children, customary funds, and others." In addition, in the seminar, Datuk Sati Diraja also conveyed about the division of land in indigenous communities. Such as forbidden forests, Sialang forest/ Sialang garden, farming land, village land, and burial land (cemetery complex). "All of that is regulated by customs," he said. Participants were happy and enthusiastic about following this session's presentation. Several questions were raised by the participants. This activity was attended by dozens of NGOs, such as from Bogor.

North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Aceh, Riau, Jambi, media personnel, students, and others. The activity organized by WGII (Working Group ICCA Indonesia), AMAN (Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago), and BRWA (Indigenous Territory Registration Agency) took place on February 26-28, 2025, featuring several speakers such as Prof. Dr. Rosnidar Sembiring, SH, MH (Professor of Law, North Sumatra), Reni A (WGII Bogor/ Working Group ICCA Indonesia), Bryandanu (WGII Riau), Budi Hutasuhut (Batak Culture Researcher), Herber Tambunan (North Sumatra Environmental Agency), Dr. H. Griven H. Putera (Batin Sibokol-Bokol/ Datuk Sati Diraja Rantaubaru-Riau), from AMAN (Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago), AMAN Tano Batak, Program Director of KSPPM/ Indigenous community, BRWA and others. (YS) Original news link Haluan Post and detiknewstv.com