Along with the local community, this 58-year-old man tirelessly fights illegal logging in the forest. They have also worked together to secure the waters of Kampung Sawendui, Yapen Islands regency, Papua, for the past decade. All of these efforts are to preserve the flora and fauna in the village.
The Gurano Bintang ship belonging to WWF Indonesia environmentalists arrived in the waters of Sawendui village, Raimbawi district, on Wednesday (3/4/2019) at around 9 a.m. local time. This ship brought 10 groups of indigenous forest management communities from five regencies, namely Jayapura, Yapen Islands, Sarmi, Merauke and Keerom. In addition, there were representatives from the Papua Forest Office, WWF Indonesia Papua Program activists and a number of people from the media, including Kompas.
Sawendui hosted a discussion entitled “Sharing Experience in Forest Management for Indigenous Peoples” organized by the WWF Indonesia Papua Program until April 6, 2019.
Gurano Bintang ship crewmembers anchored the ship some 500 meters from the coastline. A motorboat later picked up the people on board, around 20, and took them to the beach.
Absalom, the village head in Sawendui, Papua, who is usually called the kampung head – along with residents – welcomed us with joy and full of warmth that night. For him, the presence of the group was an opportunity to show the local wisdom of the Sawendui community in preserving forests.
For three days, activities in Sawendui did not solely revolve around discussions between indigenous forest management groups. Absalom, along with his team from the Kornu Multipurpose Cooperative, which comprises eight members, showed the participants one of the bird-watching spots to monitor cenderawasih (bird-of-paradise) in Sawendui and forest trekking tours on Nomami Hill.
There are two types of bird-of-paradise in Sawendui, namely small yellow species (Paradisaea minor) and rattan split fruit (Cicinurus magnificus).
In total there are six bird-watching spots in the forest area in Sawendui with an area of around 4,000 hectares. Around 100 hectares of forest area is specifically for birds of paradise and various other fauna.
“We want to show all participants and residents that Sawendui with its local wisdom is able to protect the forest and the flora and fauna in it,” Absalom said.
KOMPAS/FABIO M LOPES COSTA
Absalom Korano.
The pioneer
Illegal logging and hunting of birds-of-paradise are widespread in a number of areas in Papua, including the Yapen Islands. However, this did not happen in Sawendui village thanks to Absalom’s hard work in fostering its citizens and preventing the entry of timber companies.
Cases of illegal logging and the granting of forest concession rights (HPH) to one of the companies in Sawendui have been stalled since 2004. Previously, in 2002, one of the holding companies of the HPH took large amounts of merbau wood (intsia bijuga), which could reach 4,000-5,000 cubic meters for each barge transportation.
The community did not get a decent result from the sale of merbau log, which is only Rp 100,000 per cubic meter. In fact, the price of merbau on the market can be over Rp 3 million per cubic meter.
This situation has prompted Absalom to fight so that the government would no longer give permission to the company. Absalom was reported
to the local law enforcement authorities by the company. However, he was not arrested. Finally, the company was no longer active in Sawendui in 2004.
Meanwhile, the hunt for birds-of-paradise in Sawendui only ended in 2010. Previously, Absalom had been involved in merciful hunting. In a day, he can shoot two birds. He sells souvenirs for Rp. 250,000 per head or a barter system with basic necessities.
Gradually, this village head realized his actions in hunting the birds-of-paradise would have a bad impact. If the hunt is not immediately stopped, he is worried that the Papuan endemic animal would be extinct. Finally, Absalom facilitated deliberations with community leaders in his village. As a result, they agreed to no longer hunt for birds of paradise in Sawendui forest.
If there are citizens who are caught hunting for birds-of-paradise, they will get customary sanctions of Rp 5 million. Meanwhile, residents involved in illegal logging face penalty as much as Rp 15 million.
In 2016, Absalom welcome the presence of WWF Indonesia Papua Team in Sawendui with open arms. WWF provides guidance to Absalom and community groups about sustainable forest management and protecting the forest for the sake of the life of the birds-of-paradise and other flora and fauna.
The assistance of the local administration and, especially, Absalom\'s assertive attitude had a positive impact on the existence of birds-of-paradise. Data from WWF Indonesia Papua Program shows there are as many as 24 cendrawasih birds in Sawendui, consisting of 18 male and 6 female birds.
“I do not want the younger generation of Sawendui to not know cenderawasih in the future. In fact, the bird is a distinctive feature of Papua and has become part of local culture,” said the father of seven children.
Empowerment and waters
Absalom’s task as a village head is to not only carry out government programs. He also allocated village funds for community empowerment. Sawendui has received village funds since 2015.
He established village-owned enterprises and savings and credit cooperatives, built 200-meter village roads and built a number of decent housing units for residents in Sawendui.
“With an active economic sector, the community is more focused on being involved in development activities in the village. They will not be involved in the hunt for birds of paradise or forest encroachment,” he said.
In addition to guarding the forest and the birds-of-paradise, Absalom also focused on getting the community to guard the waters of Sawendui. There are around 12 spots that become locations for breeding leatherback turtles and green turtles along the Sawendui beach. Absalom prohibited residents from consuming turtle meat and eggs.
He also prohibits the use of bombs in fishing because it will damage coral reefs, which are the habitat of various species in the sea.
Absalom’s hard work in preserving the environment is a manifestation of his responsibility as a child of local customs. This is in accordance with the advice of the ancestors in his village in Sawendui’s language, namely “Wana wara bampi watu bumori unteng pomuninya, bampi nai dao reware. Mani meno warmanda sampi nai sitenteng nai”. That means you eat and live in this country. Take care of this country until your grandchildren also eat and live in this country.
Absalom Korano
Position: Head of Kampung Sawendui
Born: Dec. 25, 1960 in Kampung Woda, Distrik Raimbawi, Yapen Islands regency, Papua
Father: Hermanus Korano
Mother: Bensalina Lunaweri
Wife: Pitornela Waimuri
Children: 7 people
Education: Elementary school SD Inpres Kerenuy, Distrik Dawai (unfinished)
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