Indonesia, with its abundant natural wealth, has extensive and diverse forests. However, sustainable forest management is a challenge for the government and production forest companies. One important initiative in this effort is to empower indigenous communities living around forest concession areas. Realizing the important role of indigenous communities in protecting and managing forests, PT Wana Bakti Persada Utama (WBPU) took strategic steps by holding rubber tree cultivation training for indigenous communities in 3 traditional villages, namely, Long Lamcin Village, Long Duhung Village, and Long Gie Village/ Beliu.
This training is a continuation of the results of previous Social Management activities, and from these activities, the communities from those three villages chose assistance in rubber cultivation. Apart from that, the reason why PT WBPU supported this activity, is to improve the economic welfare of the community through sustainable activities. Rubber trees were chosen as the focus of the training, not only because of their high economic value but because they can grow in community land around the company's concession area. Rubber tree cultivation is aligned with the principle of sustainable forest management, which aims to preserve forests while increasing their productivity.
This training is aimed to provide practical knowledge and skills to indigenous communities, regarding good and correct rubber tree cultivation techniques. The training covers various aspects, from selecting superior seeds, planting techniques, and maintenance, to efficient tapping techniques. In this way, indigenous communities are expected to be able to develop their rubber plantations and increase family income.
Apart from improving technical skills, this training also aims to strengthen relations between PT WBPU and indigenous communities. PT WBPU hopes to build mutual trust and strong collaborations through this program. With active participation of the community in this training, hopefully, may reduce conflicts and tensions that may arise due to conflicts of interest between the company and the local community.
In the future, PT WBPU hopes the indigenous communities can independently manage their rubber plantations. This independence will not only improve people's standard of living but will also help in preserving forests. With the knowledge gained from the training, the community is expected to be able to manage forests wisely, ensuring that the practices carried out do not damage the ecosystem and maintain natural balance.
PT WBPU also hopes that with this training, indigenous communities can become active partners in protecting and preserving forests. This solid collaboration will make it easier for companies to implement conservation programs and sustainable forest management. This success can also become a model for other companies to follow a similar path in empowering indigenous communities and preserving forests.
It is hoped that in the end, this rubber tree cultivation training can create a mutualistic symbiosis between PT WBPU and indigenous communities. Through close and mutually beneficial cooperation, the company and indigenous communities can achieve their respective goals—companies can manage forests sustainably and increase production, while indigenous communities can improve their welfare and quality of life.
