Masyarakat Pandumaan-Sipituhuta Rawat dan Pulihkan Hutan Adat

The story excerpt and photo captions below were translated from bahasa Indonesia. To read the original story in full, visit Mongabay Indonesia. You may also view the original story on the Rainforest Journalism Fund website here. Our website is available in English, Spanish, bahasa Indonesia, French, and Portuguese.

That day Ganjang entered the frankincense forest carrying a long machete with a scabbard tied to the left side of his waist. Before entering the forest, there is a vast area of empty land. "That land is still being managed. I want to grow coffee there," he said.

Ganjang lives in the traditional community of Pandumaan-Sipituhuta in Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia.

Entering the frankincense forest, one passes the area of ​​the PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) timber company in Tele District.