The Dayak Meratus communities have created co-operatives and developed business institutions that protect their resources. The communities use non-timber forest products such as rubber to generate sustainable livelihoods. However, the encroachment of private businesses on the local forestland for large scale oil palm plantations, mining and forest concessions threaten their way of life and have forced them to respond.
Local people have developed a sustainable community-based forestry co-operative. The land was purchased by the community and is farmed for teak. The co-operative is the first in Indonesia to achieve Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for sustainability. This has helped to regulate timber production and secure fair prices. However, this forestry program is under continued threat by Indonesia’s endemic corruption.
