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Showing posts from February, 2008

Understanding the Sumatran Tiger

One of Bukit Tigapuluh National Park's most important inhabitants is the critically endangered Sumatran tiger ( Panthera tigris sumatrae, Linnaeus 1758). As a subspecies of the tiger ( Panthera tigris) the Sumatran tiger is the last surviving tiger in Indonesia, where both the Bali and Javan tiger is the last of the tigers to inhabit these regions, and therefore Bukit Tigapuluh area has a critical role to play in ensuring that tigers continue for future generations and the world.

Kubu Problems

The forest as an important factor in the Kubu's life is shrinking dramatically as it is converted to oil palm and timber plantations. Large scale conversion of land has affected the Kubu population, pushing them out from their original areas to find other locations for survival. But in the new areas, often suboptimal to their needs, they face many problems and constraints. To make matters worse the middlemen monopolise and control the price of forest products, often causing the Kubu people to be marginalized. These days their daily activities do not provide enough for them to meet their basic needs, which is mainly based around forest resources, because the money they earn from product exchange primarily goes towards paying off their debts.

Distribution of Kubu or Forest People, traditional communities

One of the traditional communities in Bukit Tigapuluh is the Kubu or Forest Dwelling People. The majority of Kubu people live in the less hilly regions of Bukit Tigapuluh National Park, found within Jambi Province. The Bukit Tigapuluh group of Kubu people are part of larger one in Bukit Duabelas National Park – also in Jambi Province.

Kubu Culture

The Kubu people have many interesting cultures and traditions including Collection of forest products . Such as jernang, rattan, resin, etc.

Bukit Tigapuluh Eco-Tourism

Bukit Tigapuluh National Park holds enormous potential as a site for eco-tourism. The huge amount of biological diversity, including rare species of plants and animals, and a unique assemblage of local people living in the area with their knowledge about the utilization of many kinds of resources, are among the key assets that will appeal to tourists

How to get to Bukit Tigapuluh National Park?

Visitors who arrive from various direction may get to the Park Management Office in Pematang Reba via the following routes: From Jambi airport along the Eastern Sumatran Highway on a 5 hour drive (approximately 310 km) to the National Park office in Pematang Reba; or 45 minuters by flight to Japura Airport in Rengat then about 25 minutes to the National Park office in Pematang Reba.   From Pekanbaru airport along the Eastern Sumatran Highway on a 4 hour drive (approximately 310 km) to the National Park office in Pematang Reba; or 30 minutes by flight to Japura Airport in Rengat then about 25 minutes to the National park office in Pematang Reba.   From Batam airport via Tembilahan by speed boat/ferry on a 4 hour crossing, the to Pematang Reba via a 3 ours drive.

Old Malay Tradition

Old Malay traditions have much in common with those seen and described for the Talang Mamak as do the backgrounds to these traditions.

Perceptions Toward Nature

In fact, the Malay and Talang Mamak people have already posses a basic concept of conservation. Even these people have traditional spatial planning concepts. The border between one village and an adjacent one is well managed. In determining areas they will refer to the saying ' Cucur Ayik Sinding Pematang ' meaning that rivers, streams and drainage ditches make the best and least problematic boundaries.

Shifting cultivation

The communities living in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park greatly support conservation management as they sustainably generate income from collecting forest products and due to the shifting cultivation integrated with rubber planting. Their swidden cultivation, which uses an appropriate and sustainable pattern of shifting ' fields ', does not much impinge upon large areas of forest.

Old Malay Traditions and Religion

The communities in the lowlands of Sumatra and in the surrounding river systems have much in common regarding language and traditions. The social-cultural differences are due to specific adaptations to the local environment, often caused by external influences brought in with economics, politics, and communications with other ethnic groups outside the immediate area.

Old Malay Trade Activities

The communities living in Bukit Tigapuluh practice shifting cultivation and collect forest products for external exchange. This tradition has taken place for thousands of years ago and has been an important factor in shaping the communities' social-politic structure in the Sumatra lowland. Paths, small roads and river are a means of transportation for bringing resources out of the forest and into the surrounding areas. Rivers used in this way as means of transportation include Cinaku, Keritang, Akar and Gangsal rivers in the northern and western part of the park. From Jambi they travel using the Tungkal and Sumai rivers.

The Indragiri’s Old Malay History

Old Malay people are among the traditional communities of Indragiri District, who have been living along nearby rivers for over 500 years.

Talang Mamak Communities in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park

The Talang Mamak communities living in the Bukit Tigapuluh National park can be found within Sembilan, Batang Gangsal, Sepuluh Jan, Denalah, and Pasak Melintang areas predominantly. About a hundred years ago all of these people were Talang Mamak, but since the influx of Islam people in three of these hamlets have become Malay. It was estimated in 1999, the communities in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park remaining were 181 households or 844 individuals. Of the total number 97 households or 523 individuals were Talang Mamak and 64 households or 321 individuals were Malay.

Talang Mamak Tribal People

History Talang Mamak people belong to the Old Malay ethnic group, representing one of the traditional communities of Indragiri District. Being old traditional people or "Suku Tuha" they have rights to district resources. There are several arguments of where the Talang Mamak came from. According to Obdeyn (a former Indragiri Assistant Resident), Talang Mamak came from Pagaruyung region of West Sumatra, where they were pushed outside because of conflicts concerning adat/tradition and religion. But according to Talang Mamak myth, they were the third generation descended from Adam who came down to the earth at Sungai Limau hamlet and have lived in Sungai Tunu hamlet until now. This can be seen from the saying ' Kandal Tanah Makkah ' meaning that the Talang Mamak were the first human beings to live on the earth.

Sumatran Orang Utan Reintroduction Program

The Sumatran Orang Utan Reintroduction Program is located in the Bukit Tigapuluh National Park buffer zone, specifically in Suo-suo village, Sumai Sub-District, Tebo District, Jambi Province. This program was launched under considerations that: The Sumatran wild Orang Utan population is suffering a decline because of wildlife trade that is still ongoing. There is a need to build a Rehabilitation Center or Adaptation Station to release Orang Utan confiscated from poacher. The purpose of Sumatran Orang Utan Reintroduction Program is to: Look for and determine a suitable location for the Orang Utan Rehabilitation or Adaptation Station establishment based on appropriate surveys. Establish a Rehabilitation Center and equip it with basic equipment. Build capacity for Ministry of Forestry institutions in support of Orang Utan conservation. Increase awareness about the importance of Orang Utan among local communities. Set up coordination and partnership with government as well as local ins

Should have been bleeding?: Separation of Rokan Darussalam, Meranti and Mandau

Ujungbatu City is the largest city in Rokan Hulu before establishment of Rokan Hulu Regency. This city and area around was the biggest income resource for the underdeveloped regency. But, development allocation accepted by this city is very small. Therefore, It is fitting their population want to establish new regency, that is Rokan Darussalam. Duri City is the largest city in Bengkalis Regency. It's population about 250 thousand, bigger from Dumai City. This area was the biggest income resource for the Bengkalis Regency. It's oil production make the Bengkalis Regency become the richest Regency in Riau Province. But, development allocation accepted by this city is not equivalent. Therefore, It is fitting their population want to establish Mandau Regency. Selatpanjang City is one of the largest city in Bengkalis Regency. This area was offshore oil producer which is explored by Kondur Petroleum. But, development allocation accepted by this city is not equivalent. Therefore, It

Lemang Hamlet and Siamang Hamlet

Both these hamlets are situated in Rantau Langsat Village about 75 km from the National Park office or 2 hours drive. They are also situated close to the National Park boundary and are inhabited by the Talang Mamak community.

Jaga Dua Sayap/ Dua Sisi, Ekonomi tidak akan tenggelam/jatuh

Sebagai anak Kuantan, kemampuan berenang mutlak dikuasai. Demikian juga dengan saya. Banyak motif yang melatarbelakangi, di antaranya yang utama adalah citra. Seorang anak yang tinggal di tepian Kuantan adalah aneh apabila tidak bisa berenang. Otomatis, dia akan menjadi sumber gunjingan dan bahan ejekan. Motif penting lain: permainan di sungai adalah permainan turun-temurun yang khas. Musim kemarau dan juga musim banjir justru dinanti-nanti. Pada musim kemarau, anak-anak dengan bebas dapat bermain-main di pasir dan kemudian dilanjutkan ke sungai. Sebaliknya pada musim banjir, anak-anak dapat bermain perahu di depan rumah sambil mengitari kebun buah-buahan yang bebas hambatan karena pagarnya sudah tenggelam oleh air. Kesemuanya itu menuntut suatu kemampuan dasar, yakni berenang.   Keinginan untuk bisa berenang demikian kuatnya dalam hati saya, oleh karenanya berbagai cara ditempuh. Mulai dari mengikuti mitos kuno bahwa makan makanan yang pedas dapat mempercepat kepandaian berenang, samp

Publikasikan Kembali Blog-blog lama

Banyak blog-blog saya yang mati. Untungnya blogger menyimpan semua draftnya, jadi tinggal pindahkan kembali ke blog spot. Diantaranya: Blog Riau Mandiri yang semula di blog.riaumandiri.co.id Komputer by Ghobro Islam by Ghobro Galeri Ghobro Ghobro yang semula di ghobro.com