Rimbang Baling Wildlife Reserve (RBWR) with a total area of about 141.226 Hectares is known as a long-term priority Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) landscape globally. The Central Sumatra area has received national status as part of the national strategic areas. It is important for the long-term survival of Sumatran tigers as it serves as both a tiger source site and a critical linkage for tiger movement in the region.
Lead by YAPEKA in collaboration with INDECON and FHK (KERABAT Consortium) implemented a tiger conservation program in RBWR located in Kampar District-Riau Province (Indonesia) that works closely with the community, management authority and key stakeholders. RBWR is regarded as one of the “core” areas in Central Sumatra where the remaining Sumatran tiger population is critically endangered (the IUCN RedList). This area is also home to a local community that has been living there for generations spanning hundreds of years. Part of the ITHCP Phase III supported IUCN’s Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme[1], funded by BMZ[2] via KfW[3], this project’s objective is to help the local community recognize the value of actively conserving Sumatran tigers while simultaneously improving their quality of life.
Importance of Collaboration
Communities have inhabited the area for hundreds of years. In general, they rely on the forest for their livelihoods while the area is also the habitat of wildlife such as the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and others. They also obey a system of traditional beliefs that largely complement wildlife conservation and natural resources management. The area has been exposed to anthropogenic threats that tend to increase, such as habitat degradation and conversion to crops, especially oil palm plantations/or expansion for other plantations. Destructive activity is taking place in those areas. However, in recent years, the Government and police have stepped up operations to stop illegal logging. The loss of tigers and their habitats within RBWR can be attributed to some weaknesses as follows: lack of management (including protection), monitoring of natural resources and involvement and participation of the community and other key stakeholders.
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In the conservation aspect, the KERABAT Consortium aims to strengthen landscape management measures by increasing community participation in tiger conservation. KERABAT Consortium through FHK facilitated communities in target villages and supported them to actively communicate and collaborate with the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA Riau) as the management authority to create collaborative mechanisms in diversifying and strengthening their capacity for forest conservation. BBKSDA Riau fully supports the implementation of integrated tiger conservation through community-based protection. The process that has been carried out is part of the importance of collaboration in tiger conservation with key stakeholders in RBWR, including the local community. In the tiger conservation aspect, one of the key players is the “Dubalang”, the youth group in the customary system. Traditionally, the Dubalang are the right-hand men of the Ninik Mamak (customary leader), who also play a key role in protecting the customary forests.
Community-based forest monitoring On November 17, 2023, a community-based forest monitoring unit was established under the Conservation Cadre (Kader Konservasi[1]) scheme developed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF). As Conservation Cadre, the team will be able to perform more extensive duties, including SMART-based biodiversity monitoring, conservation education, and bridging the gap between BBKSDA Riau as the management authority and the local government/general public in each village. A total of 27 trained members of the Dubalang and village youths in 9 villages were appointed as Conservation Cadre formally. Legal approval of the appointment was given through the Head of BBKSDA Riau Decree No. SK. 1154/K.6/BIDTEK/SDM.2.0/11/2023, dated November 9, 2023.
[1] A conservation cadre is a person/group of people who have been educated or appointed by a government agency or non-governmental organization who voluntarily act as successors in conservation efforts for biological natural resources and their ecosystems, and are willing and able to convey conservation messages to the community (Decree of Directorate General Forest Protection and Nature Conservation No. SK.41/IV-Set/HO/2006 concerning Guideline for forming Conservation Cadres)
Figure 1. Establishment of conservation cadre by BBKSDA Riau (Photo by KERABAT)
Recruiting community patrol members from Dubalang to protect biodiversity offers several benefits. It leverages local knowledge and expertise, ensuring more effective and culturally sensitive conservation strategies. Local involvement increases community investment in conservation outcomes, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility towards natural resources. By involving them in biodiversity protection, they can earn a livelihood to enhance their economic stability while contributing to conservation efforts. This approach can enhance the monitoring and enforcement of environmental protection, leading to more sustainable management of natural resources.
Prior to the appointment, potential members of the customary forest monitoring group are screened based on recommendation from the village heads and customary leaders. A series of capacity building was provided to the candidates to familiarize them with the concept of biodiversity monitoring, the use of assisting equipment, and field activities. To comply with the national syllabus for Conservation Cadre, a three-day capacity building was provided where candidates receive training on navigation, data collection, and first aid. FHK with BBKSDA Riau also developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) based on the National SMART Patrol SOP to serve as guidelines for the biodiversity monitoring activities by the Conservation Cadre. The SOP is also equipped with a field guide for identifying and documenting findings, especially findings related to wildlife.
In addition, to ensure that Conservation Cadre activities are known to and supported by other members of the community, the KERABAT Consortium also held a series of movie screenings and conservation education in each of the targeted villages. The use of popular media such as documentary movies aimed to familiarize the community members with the concept of biodiversity conservation in a more public-friendly way. Conservation education to elementary schools used materials such as storybooks and coloring pages to introduce students to tigers and their conservation efforts. It is hoped that by engaging a larger scope of community members, conservation activities can gain traction to aim for continuous support.
Figure 2. Conservation Cadre’s field activities (Photo by KERABAT)
Currently, as a follow-up to collaboration with BBKSDA Riau and Conservation Cadre, a mechanism of activities in the field has been set up. The Conservation Cadre are now involved in biodiversity monitoring alongside BBKSDA Riau staff with support from the KERABAT Consortium. In the future, there have been plans to allow the Conservation Cadre to share their experiences with the community to encourage active participation in biodiversity conservation and landscape sustainability. The communities in the RBWR have an important role and responsibility in preserving natural resources and participating in conserving this area as a habitat for Sumatran tigers and a source of livelihood for the communities and their generations.
Figure 3. Conservation Cadre’s field activities (Photo by KERABAT)
“This project is supported by IUCN’s Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme, funded by the German Cooperation via the KfW Development Bank. The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of the KERABAT Consortium and do not necessarily reflect the views of IUCN, the German Cooperation or KfW”.
