Sumatra is known for its breathtaking biodiversity, including lush rainforests and diverse wildlife. We can find orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and rhinos. According to Uryu et al. (2010), Sumatra’s forests are home to approximately 10,000 plant species, 201 mammal species, and 580 bird species. Many of which are endemic and endangered. Sumatra’s ecosystems overall are vital for global ecological balance and are deeply intertwined with indigenous communities’ cultural heritage.
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Historically, these communities have acted as the stewards of the land, employing traditional practices that have supported environmental sustainability for generations. Beltrán, J. (2000) highlights how indigenous taboos and rituals have played a significant role in conserving critical habitats and species.
Traditional practices among Sumatra’s indigenous tribes often involve a deep respect for nature, embedding conservation into their way of life. Rituals, such as forest offerings and seasonal planting guided by natural signs, examine how local knowledge has harmonised with the environment to promote balance. These customs preserve ecological health and reinforce a cultural identity that values sustainability.
However, Sumatra faces significant conservation challenges today. Data from Global Forest Watch indicates that between 2002 and 2020, Sumatra lost approximately 5 million hectares of primary forest due to deforestation driven by palm oil plantations, illegal logging, and urban expansion.
This habitat loss poses severe threats to its rich biodiversity. The rapid pace of modernisation has also impacted traditional practices as younger generations move to urban areas and adopt new lifestyles that distance them from ancestral wisdom. Additionally, the role of indigenous communities in conservation decision-making needs to be more recognised, limiting their influence in protecting the land they have nurtured for centuries.
Another critical discussion to make is on how infrastructure impacts the existing ecosystem, especially a 2.818 km (1,751 miles) long road across Sumatra. Now, let’s take a look at the Indonesian government’s Trans Sumatra toll road project briefly:
Trans Sumatra Toll Road Project Overview
With this challenge in mind, proper research should indeed be considered to solve the problem of changing the habitat of millions of wildlife in Sumatra, mainly how this new infrastructure divides an ecosystem into two parts.
Media Indonesia (2023) reported Executive Vice President (EVP) Corporate Secretary Hutama Karya Tjahjo Purnomo said that Hutama Karya has prepared a number of efforts to anticipate wild animals or livestock crossing the toll road. Among them are building animal crossings consisting of elephants, chimpanzees, and reptiles located on the Pekanbaru, Dumai and Sigli — Banda Aceh Toll Roads and planting plants according to the food of surrounding animals so that animals do not starve and are distracted by the food.
Tjahjo explained that in addition to building animal crossings, Hutama Karya also installed layered fences with wire material on all managed toll roads to prevent animals from directly penetrating the toll road. Also, providing socialisation and education to the community around the toll road, RT/RW administrators, village heads, and managers of surrounding breeding facilities to keep their livestock under control in cages and not enter the toll road area.
However, on Sunday, October 20, 2024, the Traffic Director (Dirlantas) of the Aceh Police, Senior Commissioner M Iqbal Alqudusy, appealed to the local Regional Government to tighten supervision. “To the village head and the Aceh Jaya Regency Government to immediately tighten supervision and implementation of the ruling regarding livestock roaming on public roads,” said Iqbal to RMOL (2024).
Iqbal said that so far, livestock such as cows and buffaloes that are free on the highway have become one of the main factors causing traffic accidents. An incident like this, said Iqbal, is not the first. If it is not addressed immediately, it could cause other, more fatal accidents in the future.
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Preserving this traditional knowledge is crucial, not just for cultural reasons but for the practical environmental benefits it offers. Ndlovu, S. (2023) emphasise that ecosystems managed with indigenous and traditional knowledge often show higher biodiversity and resilience than those managed solely with modern techniques. By integrating these ancient practices, modern conservation efforts can avoid overlooking holistic approaches that have proven effective.
Some questions to answer through this research apply to our case study:
- How do modern conservation efforts in Sumatra leverage advanced technology to combat deforestation and habitat loss?
- In what ways can modern conservation strategies integrate indigenous wisdom to create a more holistic approach to environmental protection?
- What specific challenges does the Trans Sumatra toll road project present to wildlife habitats, and how might traditional knowledge help mitigate these impacts?
Modern Conservation Efforts in Sumatra
So, how do modern conservation efforts in Sumatra leverage advanced technology to combat deforestation and habitat loss? We’ve seen various programs have been implemented involving government bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local stakeholders.
These efforts aim to counteract the significant threats facing Sumatra’s ecosystems by incorporating state-of-the-art technology to monitor, manage, and protect the environment. Satellite imagery and drone surveillance are used extensively to track deforestation and identify illegal activities, while Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enable detailed data analysis that informs targeted conservation strategies. These technologies make it possible to assess environmental impacts at a larger scale and with greater precision than traditional methods alone.
While technology has bolstered large-scale conservation capabilities, one of the main challenges has been ensuring that these strategies recognise the invaluable insights held by local communities who have preserved these lands for centuries.
Often, a purely top-down, technology-driven approach fails to engage these communities fully, potentially resulting in resistance to conservation measures and a loss of traditional knowledge.
Integrating Indigenous Wisdom with Modern Conservation
Collaboration with local communities provides a way forward to integrate indigenous wisdom into modern conservation strategies. When traditional knowledge is combined with scientific methods, it creates a more holistic approach that respects ecological and cultural dimensions. Indigenous wisdom, which includes knowledge about seasonal animal migration patterns and sustainable resource management, complements modern methods by offering insights rooted in a long-standing connection with the land.
In collaborative conservation projects, local tribes often contribute their understanding of animal behaviour and migration routes. This understanding, when paired with GPS tracking and data modelling, enables researchers to map and predict wildlife movement more accurately. This cooperation enhances the success of conservation efforts by ensuring that interventions are both scientifically robust and culturally sensitive, fostering a more inclusive approach to biodiversity protection.
Trans Sumatra Toll Road Project (Case Study)
Examining the Trans Sumatra Toll Road project highlights specific challenges to wildlife habitats posed by development and raises the question of how traditional knowledge might help mitigate these impacts. The toll road project, which spans vast stretches of forest and wildlife habitats, risks fragmenting critical ecosystems, threatening the migratory routes and habitats of species like Sumatran elephants, tigers, and orangutans. Advanced conservation strategies for this project incorporate wildlife crossings and use surveillance technology to monitor endangered species near construction zones.
However, traditional knowledge can further aid these conservation measures. Local communities possess valuable insights into wildlife migration paths and the ecological significance of specific areas, which can guide the placement of wildlife corridors and conservation zones along the toll road. Incorporating this Indigenous knowledge ensures that mitigation efforts respect wildlife’s natural behaviour and habitats, creating a more effective conservation plan that aligns with the toll road’s development.
Steps Forward and Recommendations
To ensure these integrative efforts continue to grow, both traditional and modern approaches should be equally valued in all stages of environmental planning. Conservation organisations and government bodies can enhance the effectiveness of conservation efforts by facilitating community workshops that combine indigenous practices with scientific methods, fostering mutual understanding and respect.
Steps to Support Integrated Conservation
- Community Workshops: Initiatives that combine Indigenous knowledge with scientific techniques
- Policy Support: Government regulations that formally recognise Indigenous rights and their role in conservation
- Collaborative Funding: Grants that support projects uniting local wisdom and scientific expertise
For the Trans Sumatra Toll Road Project specifically, we advise all shareholders to sit down and discuss the division of the habitat into two parts. As we have seen, accidents commonly happen on the toll road because animals cross the road at night and day, and the only three spots for animal crossing are not sufficient.
Education is also vital in promoting this integrated approach. Incorporating both traditional and modern conservation science into school curricula can prepare future generations to approach environmental challenges with a comprehensive understanding that values innovation and tradition.
Integrating traditional wisdom with modern conservation methods is more than just a strategic choice — it is essential for sustainable development in Sumatra. This combination not only bolsters conservation efforts but also preserves the rich cultural heritage that has sustained these ecosystems for generations. Moving forward, unified efforts that blend indigenous knowledge with technological innovations offer a promising pathway to create lasting solutions that benefit both the environment and local communities.
This research was made by the thoughtful team at Gema Sumatra as part of a social contribution. Further research should be made to enrich this draft on the following points:
- The data on the impact of only the Trans Sumatra Toll Project on Sumatra deforestation rates
- Which spot happen more accidents, and advise the contractor on adding more animal crossing paths in the major spots
- Conduct direct interviews to gain perspectives from local communities
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Citation:
- Uryu, Y., et al. (2010) Sumatra’s Forests, Their Wildlife and the Climate. Jakarta, Indonesia: World Wild Fund
- Beltrán, J. (Ed.). (2000). Indigenous and traditional peoples and protected areas: Principles, guidelines and case studies. IUCN, The World Conservation Union.
- Ndlovu, S. (2023). Indigenous knowledge and biodiversity conservation: A collaborative approach. Journal of Agricultural Science and Botany, 8(5), 263.
- https://mediaindonesia.com/nusantara/620697/perlintasan-satwa-dan-ternak-dibangun-di-tol-trans-sumatra
- https://rmol.id/read/2024/10/20/641590/ternak-berkeliaran-picu-kecelakaan-pemda-aceh-diminta-perketat-pengawasan
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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