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Story Publication logo August 8, 2022

Orang Rimba Saves the Remaining Forest Wealth (bahasa Indonesia)

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people walking through a forest
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The Orang Rimba's bond to the gods fuels their loyalty to protect Bukit Duabelas. Biodiversity is...

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This story excerpt was translated from bahasa Indonesia. To read the original story in full, visit Harian Kompas. 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.


New awareness is growing amidst the shrinking forests in Jambi. The Orang Rimba community has started cultivating food and medicinal plants. They also want support to take care of the remaining natural resources.

Bagentar's (45) journey through the jungles of Bukit Duabelas in Jambi finally paid off. Around 400 jernang (Daemonorops draco) fruits were collected. The fruits, which he collected from the forest floor, were brought to a settlement in Sako Nini Tuo, Bukit Duabelas National Park, Jambi.


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The jernang fruits were sorted. Soon the fruits began to germinate, and he planted them around his hut.

Knowing that the jernang plants had successfully grown, Gentar became even more enthusiastic. He diligently hunted for prospective jernang seeds to the deepest forests in the national park.

Now, his jernang plants have paid off. From one clump of plants, he can harvest a sack of jernang fruit. If processed, it will produce 1.5 kilograms of resin. The market price is almost Rp 2 million per kilogram.


Palm oil fever has triggered conversion in Bukit Duabelas National Park, Sarolangun, Jambi. Some Orang Rimba persist in planting the forest with the concept of agriforestry to maintain its sustainability. Image by Irma Tambunan/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.

A number of jungle mothers harvest jernang around their settlements in the Pelepat area, Bungo Regency, Jambi. Jernang is processed into colouring materials. Natural raw materials are increasingly difficult to obtain as forests shrink, amidst the community's strong ties to nature. Image by Irma Tambunan/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.

Medicinal plants used by Orang Rimba in Bukit Duabelas National Park, Sarolangun, Jambi. Image by Irma Tambunan/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.

Tengganai Besemen shows one of the medicinal plants to his children in Bukit Duabelas National Park, Sarolangun, Jambi. Forest conservation is urgently strengthened as a habitat for these medicinal plants. Image by Irma Tambunan/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.

Bukit Duabelas National Park officials check the condition of the medicinal plant demonstration plot that is often used by the Orang Rimba community, in TNBD, Sarolangun Regency, Jambi. Forest conservation needs to be strengthened as a space for the inland community. Image by Irma Tambunan/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.

A brother looks after his sister in one of the huts in Bukit Duabelas National Park, Sarolangun, Jambi. Forest conservation needs to be strengthened as a living space for the inland community. Image by Irma Tambunan/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.