Preserving Bujang Raba Forest: The Long Journey Towards Sustainable Conservation

Reporter: Markus Sumartomdjon, Selvi Mayasari | Editor: Syamsul Azhar

KONTAN.CO.ID - MUARO JAMBI. It was not an easy task for five villages within the landscape of the Bukit Panjang Rantau Bayur or Bujang Raba forest to obtain carbon bonus funds, ensuring the preservation of their environment, agricultural commodities, and plantations. These villages had to go through a long struggle to manage their forest resources. Bachtiar, a community leader from Lubuk Beringin, shared the story of rampant illegal logging during the period of reformasi (reformation) in the vicinity of the Bujang Raba forest.

Consequently, significant areas of natural forest were damaged and deforested, with many giant trees, supporting the stability of the Bujang Raba area against erosion, being lost. As a result, Lubuk Beringin experienced devastating flash floods, with tree trunks carried downstream into residential areas. "The incident was truly saddening," said Bachtiar.