The Struggle of Indigenous People: An Overview Recognition of Customary Forest in Minangkabau, Indonesia

Abstract

Customary forest and state forest are still a dichotomy contested by indigenous peoples and the state. The forests around Singkarak Lake, West Sumatra are managed in different ways which are related to the capacity of indigenous communities around the forest. The indigenous Minangkabau people of Nagari Malalo Tigo Jurai have local wisdom for the management of customary forests, but the recognition of their customary forest is beginning to be disturbed by the new recognition of this forest as state forest. This study examines the communal efforts carried out by the indigenous peoples in recognizing the customary forest management rights in Nagari Malalo Tigo Jurai customary forest. This study using a qualitative approach with in-depth interview techniques, observation and literature study. This research shows that there have some local wisdom practiced for forest management in the customary forest area for many years. Lately, there is a strong communal movement of the indigenous peoples for recognition of their customary forest areas.

Perception, attitude, and motive of local community towards forest conversion to plantation in Dharmasraya District, West Sumatra, Indonesia

“…Forest is inseparable from the community life for its function as the source of food, medicines, and income (Aju 2014). The relationship between forest and community in Indonesia is supported by the existence of customary law (Marta et al 2019;Dasrizal et al 2019;Ifrani et al 2019) that provides the opportunity for the local community to manage forest areas (Mutolib et al 2020;Lestawi and Bunga 2020). Several studies have shown that the local community can perform proper and sustainable forest management (Handoko 2014;Matsvange et al 2016;Poudyal et al 2019).…”