MANGGARAIAN FOREST AND ITS PROBLEM
It is A Simple Article of Mine for Preparing Reduction Emission From Reforestation and Degradation (REDD)Research In Manggarai. The Research Will be Conducted by Research Institution of Master Administrasi Public of UGM, Yogyakarta, Sponsored by Norwegian Government.
BY: Emilianus Yakob Sese Tolo
I. Introduction
Manggarai regency is one of the regencies in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) province which has wide forest. Its forest has wide 121.192,05 Ha or 29, 28% of Manggarai land. In addition, Manggaraian forest has 15 forest areas. Out of 15 areas of Manggaraian forest, there are some areas have very bad condition. Many trees are cut down. For instance, Forest in Melar Kuwus is totally destroyed by local people for opening new land, getting wood and so on.
The question is why is there big forest degradation in Manggarai? There are some answers for answering this question. Firstly, most of local people do not know about forestry and its regulation. Therefore, they firmly believe that certain forest is their property. They got it from their ancestors for long time ago. Because it is theirs, they have authority for cutting down the trees even local government prohibits them. Secondly, people cut down the forest because of economic pressure. Most of local people who live close to the forest are poor. They really depend on their life on forest. That is why; they cut down the forest for opening new land or for getting wood. Thirdly, local government does not make good policy, good regulation and good monitoring for its forest.
Based on what I am saying above, I can conclude that forest degradation happened in Manggarai caused by both local government and its people. But, local government firmly believes that it is not their mistake so far. They blamed local people. Local people create forest degradation in Manggarai only and local government is holy!
II. System Of Land Ownership, Manggaraian Forest And Its Problem
I really admire that Manggaraian people have good system of land ownership. Why am I saying like this? Every village (beo) in Manggarai has their own land. They call that kind of land “lingko”. Every lingko will be shared to its villagers based on their contribution to the society. Therefore, every villager does not protest against tua golo and tua teno who has legal right to distribute land to each villager even they get small land. And according to the people that I ever asked, they said they were happy with land that they got because the land sharing is really fair.
We need to know that the form of Lingko is like spider net. It is really clear when we are flying above the rice field in Manggarai. Why the form of lingko is like spider net? Before sharing the land (lingko), they, Manggaraian people, at first, determine the center of the land. Then, they will pull a line from the center. Every line will be the border of their land. Therefore, after sharing the land (lingko), the lingko has form like spider net.
But, we should know that there is lingko which is a forest. That is why; some people and society in Manggarai firmly believe that certain forest is theirs even local government claims that certain forest belongs to local government. They consider some certain forests are their property. They have right and authority to cut down that forest for fulfilling their daily need. That forest is an inheritance of their ancestors. Therefore, they really scrabble against local government, when local government claims that certain forest belongs to government.
2.2. Manggaraian Forest
2.2.1. Wide of Manggaraian Forest
As I wrote before that wide of Manggaraian Forest is 121.192,05 ha. For sure, look at the chart below.
1. Gapong : 18 (RTK), 952,36 (Ha)- Conservation
2. Meler-Kuwus : 111, 3.040- Conservation
3. Todo : 14, 10.089,20- Conservation
4. Manus-Mbengan : 110, 3.688,28- Production
5. Manus-Waerana : 26, 253,81- Production
6. Riwo : 23, 1.011,47- Production
7. Ngada Wolo Mera : 141, 4.898,80- Conservation
8. Puntu : 19, 15.567,40- Conservation
9. Pota : 110, 16.715,07- Conservation
10. Nggalak Rego : 103, 14.690,30- Conservation
11. Ndeki Komba : 115, 2.400- Conservation
12. Ramut : 15, 5.705- Conservation
13. Wae laku : 114, 4.650- Production
14. Sawe Sange : 141, 4.650- Conservation
15. TWA Ruteng : 118, 32.248,60- Conservation
2.2.2. Occupied Forest Areas in Manggarai
Out of 14 areas of forest which are organized by Dinas Kehutanan, there are 7 areas occupied by local people for cemetery, village and field. Look at the table below.
2.2.3. Forest Degradation in Manggarai
Forest degradation in Manggarai is quite high. It is caused by illegal logging, system of land ownership, and economic pressure. According to the data of 2005, wide of forest degradation is 14.218,50 ha. Look at the data below.
1. Gapong : 18 (RTK), 952,36(Ha)- Conservation-27,50 (Deforestation)
2. Meler-Kuwus : 111, 3.040- Conservation-2.766,00
3. Todo : 14, 10.089,20- Conservation-24,50
4. Manus-Mbengan : 110, 3.688,28- Production-200,00
5. Manus-Waerana : 26, 253,81- Production-69,50
6. Riwo : 23, 1.011,47- Production-69,50
7. Ngada Wolo Mera : 141, 4.898,80- Conservation-450,00
8. Puntu : 19, 15.567,40- Conservation-2.889,00
9. Pota : 110, 16.715,07- Conservation-2.932,00
10. Nggalak Rego : 103, 14.690,30- Conservation-1.850,00
11. Ndeki Komba : 115, 2.400- Conservation-356,00
12. Ramut : 15, 5.705- Conservation-952,00
13. Wae laku : 114, 4.650- Production-952,00
14. Sawe Sange : 141, 4.650- Conservation-650,00
15. TWA Ruteng : 118, 32.248,60- Conservation- 0
2.2.4. Some Causing Factors of Forest Degradation in Manggarai
2.2.4.1. Dinas Kehutanan
According to Dinas Kehutanan Manggarai, There are same causing factors of forest degradation.
1.There is no good condition for taking care the forest.
2.There are local people who do not admit forest border made by local government.
3.There are local people claim that some certain forests are their property
4.There are many illegal logging
5.People build a village in forest area.
6.Local people build cemeteries in forest area.
7.People cut down the forest because they have low human resources.
2.2.4.2. Local People
According to local people there are some causing factors of forest degradation.
1.Economic pressure. Most of people live next to the forest are poor. They really depend on their life on forest. Therefore, they cut down the forest for defending their life.
2.People do not agree with forest border made by local government. They are still using old forest border made by Netherlands government long time ago.
3.People cut down the forest because they really believe that a certain forest is theirs. They said they got it from their ancestor long time ago.
4.Government made new forest border, revision of Nederlands forest border without inviting local people to discuss about it first. Local people did not agree with the way that local government had taken.
After seeing those causing factors, we should raise a question: is it true that forest degradation in Manggarai is caused by local people only? According to me, in fact, forest degradation in Manggarai is caused by both local government and its people. Local government does not look for the best problem solving for saving its forest. Imagine, local government has 12 forest polices only for taking care its wide forest. And, most of local government program which have used much money for taking care and reforestation are fail and nonsense. According to an interviewee, it happens because there are many corruptions at Forestry Department of Manggarai district.
We need to know that there is an ironic policy taken by local government. On one side local government prohibits local people not to destroy the forest. But in the other side, local government lets certain people, especially rich people, to run their business by destroying the forest. For example, local government lets business man to build a company, luxuriant villa and big breeding in forest areas. Local government also lets mining company destroying the forest to get what they want.
For taking care Manggaraian forest, local government has allocated a lot of funds. It shows that local government has good intention for saving its forest. But, even local government has provided big fund for taking care its forest, forest degradation is quite high and treeless forest is still remain. Reboization program never gets maximal result.
Based on what I am writing above, I can conclude that local government and its people do not give good attention to its forest. That is why; Manggraian forest needs other people to take care its life and its future. Other people that I mean can be NGO, International Donor Institutions and local church. According to Jefry, if we want save manggaraian forest, we do not need involve local government. He said many local NGO in Manggarai do not work together with government in taking care Manggaraian forest. Maybe, local government often commits corruption, especially at Dinas Kehutanan.
2.2.5. Is There Virgin Hutan Primer In Manggarai?
According to people that I ever interviewed, most of them said that Manggarai does not have virgin hutan primer any more. It does not mean that all Manggaraian forest have very bad condition. There are some forest areas that still have many trees. But, it is not virgin anymore because there are some illegal loggers who steal and cut down some its big trees.
III. Forest Degradation and Its Problem Solving
3.1. Local Government
As I said before that local government has good intention for saving its forest. But, in the process of taking care the forest, local government itself faces many internal problems like corruptions.
Besides that, local government tends to side with rich people then local people. Therefore, local government really prohibits local people not to cut down the forest, but for rich people, local government gives legal permit to destroy the forest for running their business. And, local government does not prohibit public building in forest areas like churches and schools. It is a big mistake of local government in saving its forest.
3.2. Local People
Most of local people, that I ever interviewed, said if local government wants to save the forest, they should do something like I will say below:
1.Government should give compensation to people who consider that certain forest is theirs.
2.Government should invite tua adat dan tua golo before making new forest border. Tua golo and tua teno has authority to forbid his people not to cut down the forest. Based to local people so far, local government did not invite tua golo, tua teno and local people to discuss about revision forest border or new forest border.
3.Local government should give knowledge to local people about forest and forestry.
4.Government should open new work field or alternative work for people who live close to the forest area.
4.3. Local Church
Flores people in general and Manggrai people in particular realize that local church has very important role in a society. Therefore, dealing with forest problem in Manggarai, local church has been looking for problem solving to its forest. Local church asked people to plant trees in their field and their forest so far. And at local church synod 2007, local church especially talked about Manggaraian forest and its problem, and looked for the best problem solving to its forest problem.
4.4. International Donor Institution
Based on the experience so far that local government could not recover its forest problem, International Donor Institution (IDI) can be alternative solution. Manggarain forest can be given to IDI to be saved.
Most of my interviewee agreed if Manggaraian forest will be given to IDI to be protected. This agreement is based on their experience with local government. According to them, local government can not manage their forest anymore. That is why; the present of IDI in Manggarai can be a savior for their beloved forest.
But, even most of my interviewee agreed with this idea, Simon Suban agreed with this idea but with one condition. If IDI wants to take care Manggaraian forest, they should make written contract. How long will they take care Manggaraian forest? Is it10 years or more? If the contract is finished, Maggaraian forest should be given back to local government. He is afraid of westernization of manggaraian forest.
IV. Conclude
Mangarai regency has big area of forest. But, local government and its people do not give good monitoring and good protection to its forest. Therefore, forest degradation in Manggarai is quite high every year.
Most of local people cut down the forest because of economic pressure. They are poor; therefore they really depend on their life on forest. Because of this economic pressure, local people still cut down the forest even they know the negative impact of cutting down the forest. Every year in Manggarai, there are always natural calamity like flood, erosion, landslide, weather and climate changing and so on. Even local people experience this kind of negative impact of cutting down the forest every year, they do stop and regret what they have done to theirforest.
Manggaraian forest should be saved from now on, otherwise world in general and manggaraian people in particular will receive its catastrophe.
BY: Emilianus Yakob Sese Tolo
I. Introduction
Manggarai regency is one of the regencies in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) province which has wide forest. Its forest has wide 121.192,05 Ha or 29, 28% of Manggarai land. In addition, Manggaraian forest has 15 forest areas. Out of 15 areas of Manggaraian forest, there are some areas have very bad condition. Many trees are cut down. For instance, Forest in Melar Kuwus is totally destroyed by local people for opening new land, getting wood and so on.
The question is why is there big forest degradation in Manggarai? There are some answers for answering this question. Firstly, most of local people do not know about forestry and its regulation. Therefore, they firmly believe that certain forest is their property. They got it from their ancestors for long time ago. Because it is theirs, they have authority for cutting down the trees even local government prohibits them. Secondly, people cut down the forest because of economic pressure. Most of local people who live close to the forest are poor. They really depend on their life on forest. That is why; they cut down the forest for opening new land or for getting wood. Thirdly, local government does not make good policy, good regulation and good monitoring for its forest.
Based on what I am saying above, I can conclude that forest degradation happened in Manggarai caused by both local government and its people. But, local government firmly believes that it is not their mistake so far. They blamed local people. Local people create forest degradation in Manggarai only and local government is holy!
II. System Of Land Ownership, Manggaraian Forest And Its Problem
I really admire that Manggaraian people have good system of land ownership. Why am I saying like this? Every village (beo) in Manggarai has their own land. They call that kind of land “lingko”. Every lingko will be shared to its villagers based on their contribution to the society. Therefore, every villager does not protest against tua golo and tua teno who has legal right to distribute land to each villager even they get small land. And according to the people that I ever asked, they said they were happy with land that they got because the land sharing is really fair.
We need to know that the form of Lingko is like spider net. It is really clear when we are flying above the rice field in Manggarai. Why the form of lingko is like spider net? Before sharing the land (lingko), they, Manggaraian people, at first, determine the center of the land. Then, they will pull a line from the center. Every line will be the border of their land. Therefore, after sharing the land (lingko), the lingko has form like spider net.
But, we should know that there is lingko which is a forest. That is why; some people and society in Manggarai firmly believe that certain forest is theirs even local government claims that certain forest belongs to local government. They consider some certain forests are their property. They have right and authority to cut down that forest for fulfilling their daily need. That forest is an inheritance of their ancestors. Therefore, they really scrabble against local government, when local government claims that certain forest belongs to government.
2.2. Manggaraian Forest
2.2.1. Wide of Manggaraian Forest
As I wrote before that wide of Manggaraian Forest is 121.192,05 ha. For sure, look at the chart below.
1. Gapong : 18 (RTK), 952,36 (Ha)- Conservation
2. Meler-Kuwus : 111, 3.040- Conservation
3. Todo : 14, 10.089,20- Conservation
4. Manus-Mbengan : 110, 3.688,28- Production
5. Manus-Waerana : 26, 253,81- Production
6. Riwo : 23, 1.011,47- Production
7. Ngada Wolo Mera : 141, 4.898,80- Conservation
8. Puntu : 19, 15.567,40- Conservation
9. Pota : 110, 16.715,07- Conservation
10. Nggalak Rego : 103, 14.690,30- Conservation
11. Ndeki Komba : 115, 2.400- Conservation
12. Ramut : 15, 5.705- Conservation
13. Wae laku : 114, 4.650- Production
14. Sawe Sange : 141, 4.650- Conservation
15. TWA Ruteng : 118, 32.248,60- Conservation
2.2.2. Occupied Forest Areas in Manggarai
Out of 14 areas of forest which are organized by Dinas Kehutanan, there are 7 areas occupied by local people for cemetery, village and field. Look at the table below.
2.2.3. Forest Degradation in Manggarai
Forest degradation in Manggarai is quite high. It is caused by illegal logging, system of land ownership, and economic pressure. According to the data of 2005, wide of forest degradation is 14.218,50 ha. Look at the data below.
1. Gapong : 18 (RTK), 952,36(Ha)- Conservation-27,50 (Deforestation)
2. Meler-Kuwus : 111, 3.040- Conservation-2.766,00
3. Todo : 14, 10.089,20- Conservation-24,50
4. Manus-Mbengan : 110, 3.688,28- Production-200,00
5. Manus-Waerana : 26, 253,81- Production-69,50
6. Riwo : 23, 1.011,47- Production-69,50
7. Ngada Wolo Mera : 141, 4.898,80- Conservation-450,00
8. Puntu : 19, 15.567,40- Conservation-2.889,00
9. Pota : 110, 16.715,07- Conservation-2.932,00
10. Nggalak Rego : 103, 14.690,30- Conservation-1.850,00
11. Ndeki Komba : 115, 2.400- Conservation-356,00
12. Ramut : 15, 5.705- Conservation-952,00
13. Wae laku : 114, 4.650- Production-952,00
14. Sawe Sange : 141, 4.650- Conservation-650,00
15. TWA Ruteng : 118, 32.248,60- Conservation- 0
2.2.4. Some Causing Factors of Forest Degradation in Manggarai
2.2.4.1. Dinas Kehutanan
According to Dinas Kehutanan Manggarai, There are same causing factors of forest degradation.
1.There is no good condition for taking care the forest.
2.There are local people who do not admit forest border made by local government.
3.There are local people claim that some certain forests are their property
4.There are many illegal logging
5.People build a village in forest area.
6.Local people build cemeteries in forest area.
7.People cut down the forest because they have low human resources.
2.2.4.2. Local People
According to local people there are some causing factors of forest degradation.
1.Economic pressure. Most of people live next to the forest are poor. They really depend on their life on forest. Therefore, they cut down the forest for defending their life.
2.People do not agree with forest border made by local government. They are still using old forest border made by Netherlands government long time ago.
3.People cut down the forest because they really believe that a certain forest is theirs. They said they got it from their ancestor long time ago.
4.Government made new forest border, revision of Nederlands forest border without inviting local people to discuss about it first. Local people did not agree with the way that local government had taken.
After seeing those causing factors, we should raise a question: is it true that forest degradation in Manggarai is caused by local people only? According to me, in fact, forest degradation in Manggarai is caused by both local government and its people. Local government does not look for the best problem solving for saving its forest. Imagine, local government has 12 forest polices only for taking care its wide forest. And, most of local government program which have used much money for taking care and reforestation are fail and nonsense. According to an interviewee, it happens because there are many corruptions at Forestry Department of Manggarai district.
We need to know that there is an ironic policy taken by local government. On one side local government prohibits local people not to destroy the forest. But in the other side, local government lets certain people, especially rich people, to run their business by destroying the forest. For example, local government lets business man to build a company, luxuriant villa and big breeding in forest areas. Local government also lets mining company destroying the forest to get what they want.
For taking care Manggaraian forest, local government has allocated a lot of funds. It shows that local government has good intention for saving its forest. But, even local government has provided big fund for taking care its forest, forest degradation is quite high and treeless forest is still remain. Reboization program never gets maximal result.
Based on what I am writing above, I can conclude that local government and its people do not give good attention to its forest. That is why; Manggraian forest needs other people to take care its life and its future. Other people that I mean can be NGO, International Donor Institutions and local church. According to Jefry, if we want save manggaraian forest, we do not need involve local government. He said many local NGO in Manggarai do not work together with government in taking care Manggaraian forest. Maybe, local government often commits corruption, especially at Dinas Kehutanan.
2.2.5. Is There Virgin Hutan Primer In Manggarai?
According to people that I ever interviewed, most of them said that Manggarai does not have virgin hutan primer any more. It does not mean that all Manggaraian forest have very bad condition. There are some forest areas that still have many trees. But, it is not virgin anymore because there are some illegal loggers who steal and cut down some its big trees.
III. Forest Degradation and Its Problem Solving
3.1. Local Government
As I said before that local government has good intention for saving its forest. But, in the process of taking care the forest, local government itself faces many internal problems like corruptions.
Besides that, local government tends to side with rich people then local people. Therefore, local government really prohibits local people not to cut down the forest, but for rich people, local government gives legal permit to destroy the forest for running their business. And, local government does not prohibit public building in forest areas like churches and schools. It is a big mistake of local government in saving its forest.
3.2. Local People
Most of local people, that I ever interviewed, said if local government wants to save the forest, they should do something like I will say below:
1.Government should give compensation to people who consider that certain forest is theirs.
2.Government should invite tua adat dan tua golo before making new forest border. Tua golo and tua teno has authority to forbid his people not to cut down the forest. Based to local people so far, local government did not invite tua golo, tua teno and local people to discuss about revision forest border or new forest border.
3.Local government should give knowledge to local people about forest and forestry.
4.Government should open new work field or alternative work for people who live close to the forest area.
4.3. Local Church
Flores people in general and Manggrai people in particular realize that local church has very important role in a society. Therefore, dealing with forest problem in Manggarai, local church has been looking for problem solving to its forest. Local church asked people to plant trees in their field and their forest so far. And at local church synod 2007, local church especially talked about Manggaraian forest and its problem, and looked for the best problem solving to its forest problem.
4.4. International Donor Institution
Based on the experience so far that local government could not recover its forest problem, International Donor Institution (IDI) can be alternative solution. Manggarain forest can be given to IDI to be saved.
Most of my interviewee agreed if Manggaraian forest will be given to IDI to be protected. This agreement is based on their experience with local government. According to them, local government can not manage their forest anymore. That is why; the present of IDI in Manggarai can be a savior for their beloved forest.
But, even most of my interviewee agreed with this idea, Simon Suban agreed with this idea but with one condition. If IDI wants to take care Manggaraian forest, they should make written contract. How long will they take care Manggaraian forest? Is it10 years or more? If the contract is finished, Maggaraian forest should be given back to local government. He is afraid of westernization of manggaraian forest.
IV. Conclude
Mangarai regency has big area of forest. But, local government and its people do not give good monitoring and good protection to its forest. Therefore, forest degradation in Manggarai is quite high every year.
Most of local people cut down the forest because of economic pressure. They are poor; therefore they really depend on their life on forest. Because of this economic pressure, local people still cut down the forest even they know the negative impact of cutting down the forest. Every year in Manggarai, there are always natural calamity like flood, erosion, landslide, weather and climate changing and so on. Even local people experience this kind of negative impact of cutting down the forest every year, they do stop and regret what they have done to theirforest.
Manggaraian forest should be saved from now on, otherwise world in general and manggaraian people in particular will receive its catastrophe.
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