In the central part of West Kalimantan Province, there is a dense forest that has been spared from the rampant land clearing for oil palm plantations in Kalimantan Island. The dense forest is a haven for wildlife, even animals that are classified as rare or endangered. Besides being home to many species of animals, the forest is also a cultural symbol. The local community calls it Rimba Engkulong.
Picture 1. The condition of some of the trees in Rimba Engkulong in 2020.
Source: 4F’s documentation.
Picture 2. A potrait of the edge of Rimba Engkulong as an Agroforestry demonstration plot. The photo is taken on 10 February 2025.
Source: 4F’s documentation.
Rimba Engkulong is located in Setawar Village, Hulu Sekadau District, Sekadau Regency. Rimba Engkulong is one of three customary forests in Setawar Village. This forest has an area of approximately 117.31 hectares. By custom, Rimba Engkulong belongs to the Banawas Tribe, a tribe in Setawar Village that is spread across three hamlets: Setawar Hamlet, Sejaong Hamlet, and Bres Hamlet. For the Banawas, Rimba Engkulong holds sacred values that play an important role in maintaining the balance of nature and their culture/customs.
The main need expected by the community is how to defend Rimba Engkulong as an ancestral heritage from the threat of illegal logging, and land clearing for excessive expansion of monoculture crops. This stems from the overriding concern that the loss of forests means the loss of important resources, biodiversity, as well as indigenous values.
Since 2019, 4F cooperating with SPKS has been working with the Setawar village government and community to build forest protection efforts in Setawar village. As an organisation that concentrates on forest conservation and farmers’ welfare, 4F specifically supports the community’s efforts to protect Rimba Engkulong as a high-density forest and home to many wildlife, including protected and endangered species.
Picture 3. Land cover map of Setawar Village.
Source: 4F’s documentation.
Some of the initiatives undertaken include the identification of high carbon stocks (HCS) and high conservation values (HCV), not only in the Engkulong forest but in areas considered important community areas (ICAs) such as rivers, springs, sacred sites within the Setawar Village landscape; Preparation of a forest management and protection plan integrated with conservation land use plan/ICLUP; Preparation of village regulations (PERDES) for forest protection.
The process of building a comprehensive forest protection effort continues to be carried out by 4F supported by implementing partners, especially SPKS, the government and village communities. This forest protection process is also supported by a mutual commitment with a plantation company located around the village landscape, namely Agro Andala (DSN Group). In 2024, with funding support from the New Zealand embassy, 4F provided support in the form of incentives and non-financial benefits such as agroforestry training, good agricultural practices, including the establishment of a 2-hectare agroforestry demonstration plot around the Engkulong customary forest. 4F also supported the establishment of a forest management unit and further training for the forest guard team in developing and implementing a forest monitoring plan or regular forest patrols. In support of the forest guard activities, 4F contributed to the construction of a meeting hut for the community and the forest guard.
Most recently, on 10 February 2025, 4F’s support was given in the form of incentives totalling 10 million Rupiah. The funds were symbolically given by Harits Yowansyah (4F Programme Manager) as a 4F representative and received by Head of Setawar Village Nasarius Kem. The guards of Rimba Engkulong and the Setawar Village government saw the financial assistance from 4F as a support for the sustainability and management of Rimba Engkulong in maintaining its biodiversity. Represented by the Head of Setawar Village, they expressed their gratitude to 4F for paying special attention to them.
Picture 4. The incentive was symbolically handed over by 4F representative Harits Yowansyah to the Setawar Village Head, who was accompanied by customary leaders and the forest guard team.
Source: 4F’s documentation.
“Thank you to the donors who have helped us, -Setawar Village-, especially in protecting this forest. Hopefully we can use this fund for the preservation and sustainability of the forest in Setawar village,” said Mr Nasarius Kem.
Adria Irmina, woman representative, a member of the Banawas Tribe who is also a member of Setawar Village’s government, also gave her voice and hope on this 4F activity, “Activities like this need to be continued. Rimba Engkulong has been preserved by the people of Setawar Village. Hopefully, we can continue it with ecotourism activities or spiritual tourism in Rimba Engkulong. Then increase activities that involve women’s groups. I hope it is not only 4F that helps, but all related parties can also get involved.”
“Our commitment (4F) is to keep ensuring that the important efforts made by indigenous peoples, local communities and farmers receive concrete, equal and sustainable attention and reciprocity from various stakeholders including the main commodity markets that communities cultivate. What these communities have been doing is clear evidence that deforestation can be curbed, forests can be preserved, food areas can be made available when collaboration between parties is real and supported by equal and sustainable incentives and benefits to local communities that protect forests.” Tirza (Executive Director of 4F)