NTFPs - Generating Local Income and Protecting Forests
Protecting forests
from logging and oil palm agriculture takes away sources of income for
villagers, so creating viable income-generating alternatives has become
one of our essential conservation strategies. The
production of non timber forest product (NTFP) handicrafts is one such
livelihood activity that utilizes traditional skills and contributes to
forest conservation through decreasing the reliance on environmentally destructive activities, such as slash-and-burn agriculture and palm oil production. Forest
plants such as rattan, palm and bamboo can be processed into a wide
range of woven mats, hats and even chairs and tables. NTFP handicrafts
can be produced by both women and men, making it a lucrative livelihood
across all sectors of a community. In Kayong Utara, West Kalimantan,
GPOCP has assisted a number of communities to form NTFP artisan groups
as a livelihood strategy, generating income for their communities
through sustainable practices.
 |
| Woven baskets and mats produced by NTFP Artisan Group |
Many of the communities in Kayong Utara are
immediately adjacent to the forest and are still largely dependent on
rainforest resources. Natural products support many aspects of peoples'
daily lives here. For example, forest products, such as rattan, bamboo
and some types of ferns, are often used in various every day capacities.
These forest products can be used to make farming and fishing tools, as
well as traditional household items.
GPOCP has assisted
in establishing and developing NTFP artisan groups in four villages in
Kayong Utara. Groups currently exist in the villages of Batu Barat,
Pangkalan Buton, Harapan Mulia and Sejahtera. Artisans
weave tikars (floor mats) in the village of Batu Barat. Usually they are
able to produce 7-10 large mats (approx 1.5 x 2.5, meters) in a week,
but can produce a larger number of smaller mats in the same amount of
time. Catering to customers' wishes, patterns are woven into the bamboo
strands. The mats are woven from non-wood materials such as pandan
leaves or a similar material harvested from the sea. The artisans also
use palm fronds to make lekar (placemats or pot stands) and wall
hangings.
 |
| Woven mats for sale |
Local Government
and other stakeholders have a responsibility to promote NTFPs and
explore further market potential for such items. If NTFPs can become
established as a viable and sustainable large scale livelihood activity,
local people will no longer need to damage the forest to meet basic
economic needs, and they will secure long-term access to the many
natural resources vital to their lives.
By Petrus Kanisius "Pit", Yayasan Palung (GPOCP)
0 komentar :
Post a Comment