ARUSBAWAH.CO - Biodiversity protection is inseparable from the participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, who have long been integral to the ecosystems within their customary territories. Indigenous peoples have practiced biodiversity monitoring for generations.

Representatives from Kalimantan attended COP16 CBD in Cali, Colombia, from October 21, 2024, to November 1, 2024, to share their experiences in biodiversity monitoring with the global community.

As the third-largest island in the world, Kalimantan hosts remarkable biodiversity, including over 15,000 plant species, 288 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 150 reptile and amphibian species, making it a significant area where biodiversity and diverse cultures collide.

Various Indigenous Peoples groups have long protected the biodiversity within their territories. Representatives from the Ketemenggungan Iban Jalai Lintang Indigenous Peoples of West Kalimantan shared this tradition during a side event at COP16 CBD.

"All Indigenous Peoples communities in Indonesia must continue to protect and manage the forests and their resources. It’s better to protect our springs than to shed tears over their loss," said Raymundus Remang, Head of Batu Lintang Village/Chairman of Gerempong Menuajudan - Sungai Utik.

Darius Doni, a youth from the third generation of the Ketemenggungan Iban Jalai Lintang community and a regional board member of Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance of Nusantara (AMAN) Kapuas Hulu, emphasized, "Indigenous youth must take a more active role in protecting and managing our customary territories. This is our inheritance from our ancestors, and it’s essential for building a better future.”

Kapuas Hulu is one of the most remarkable landscapes in the heart of Kalimantan, known for its unparalleled biodiversity.