Stories from the Field:
Preserving Culture, Nature, and Communities
How can an organization stay responsive and accountable to local communities while operating in an increasing number of diverse and complex landscapes? One strategy at Planet Indonesia is to encourage our field teams to keep their ears open and share their issues and insights with our office teams.
To this end, we have developed a fieldnote system. Every month, field staff write a short story about something they have observed or learned during their work. The topics are entirely up to them. Back in the office, field staff engage in a monthly reflection meeting with their area manager and one or more representatives of the technical team. Together, they discuss the issues raised, explore their implications, and, if necessary, define follow-up plans. Read more about the fieldnote system here .
In this story map, we’re excited to share selected stories from across West Kalimantan. Each point on the map represents a unique observation. The stories discuss cultural traditions that protect marine ecosystems, farming practices that improve livelihoods, and much more. Click on each location to dive deeper into the stories shared by our Field Facilitators.
Explore the stories of Planet Indonesia's conservation efforts across West Kalimantan. Each point on the map represents a unique community initiative, from cultural traditions that protect marine ecosystems to sustainable farming and water management practices that improve livelihoods. Click on each location to dive deeper into the stories shared by our Field Facilitators.
Semah Laut: A Tradition Sustaining the Seas
Semah Laut: A Tradition Sustaining the Seas. Click to expand.
Pulau Karimata, located in Kalimantan Barat, is home to the Melayu and Bugis communities, who live in harmony amidst the island’s rich cultural heritage. Among the Melayu people, one of the most cherished traditions is Semah Laut, a ritual believed to ward off misfortune and ensure prosperity for the community.
Revitalizing Coffee Cultivation in Dange Aji
Revitalizing Coffee Cultivation in Dange Aji. Click to expand.
In the remote village of Dange Aji, located in the forests of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Arabica coffee has become a beacon of hope for local farmers. Through a community forestry initiative called the KUPS Agroforestry Cooperative, farmers are working together to cultivate high-quality coffee as a step toward sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship.
Water for Life: Protecting Tauk Hamlet’s Clean Water
Water for Life: Protecting Tauk Hamlet’s Clean Water. Click to expand.
In Tauk Hamlet, a remote community in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, access to clean water has brought profound change. Once reliant on rain and rivers during the dry season, residents now benefit from a community-built dam that provides a reliable water supply. However, this vital resource is under threat from nearby industrial activity.
Driving Change: The Rise of Motorbike Taxis in Dusun Kendaik
Driving Change: The Rise of Motorbike Taxis in Dusun Kendaik. Click to expand.
Nestled in the dense tropical forests of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Dusun Kendaik was once a remote and isolated hamlet. Today, it has transformed into a hub of energy and innovation thanks to the resilience and resourcefulness of its youth. Young residents, aged 18 to 30, have embraced motorbike taxi services to overcome the hamlet's challenging terrain, turning their remote village into a vital link within the region.
From Rubber to Corn: How Farmers in Kendaik Hamlet Are Building a More Stable Future
From Rubber to Corn: How Farmers in Kendaik Hamlet Are Building a More Stable Future. Click to expand.
In Kendaik Hamlet, a remote village in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, farmers are transforming their livelihoods by shifting from traditional crops like rubber and pepper to corn farming. For years, they struggled with unpredictable market prices and long cultivation periods, making it difficult to secure a stable income. Now, corn is offering them a faster, more reliable source of livelihood.
Fighting Plastic Pollution in Kepulauan Karimata
Fighting Plastic Pollution in Kepulauan Karimata. Click to expand.
Kepulauan Karimata, a marine conservation area in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and coral reefs that support local fishing communities. However, the islands face a growing challenge: every year, ocean currents bring plastic waste from across the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, depositing it on the islands’ shores. This plastic pollution threatens marine ecosystems, including critical habitats for sea turtles, and disrupts the livelihoods of local fishers.
Weathering the Storm: Farmers Struggle with Unpredictable Climate
Weathering the Storm: Farmers Struggle with Unpredictable Climate. Click to expand.
In the highlands of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, farmers have long depended on predictable seasonal cycles to grow their crops. But in recent years, climate change has disrupted these patterns, making farming increasingly uncertain.
Unveiling the Unknown: A New Species Discovered in Borneo’s Rainforest
Unveiling the Unknown: A New Species Discovered in Borneo’s Rainforest. Click to expand.
Deep within the rainforests of Borneo, researchers recently made a remarkable discovery—a previously undocumented species of viper. Found in the rocky hills of a remote protected area in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, this striking snake belongs to the Trimeresurus genus, a group known for its role in the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Semah Laut: A Tradition Sustaining the Seas
Pulau Karimata, located in Kalimantan Barat, is home to the Melayu and Bugis communities, who live in harmony amidst the island’s rich cultural heritage. Among the Melayu people, one of the most cherished traditions is Semah Laut, a ritual believed to ward off misfortune and ensure prosperity for the community.
According to Datuk Ridwan, a local elder, Semah Laut has been passed down for generations, primarily in the villages of Padang and Betok Jaya. The ritual begins with a meeting of traditional leaders and shamans to agree on the event’s timing. Participants then visit sacred sites across Pulau Karimata Besar, including Tanjung Ru and Sungai Abon, where symbolic "battles" between shamans are performed. These playful encounters, where shamans attempt to push each other into the water, symbolize prosperity and protection for their villages.
During the ritual, community members refrain from fishing or cutting trees, offering the environment a brief respite from human activity. In the past, these prohibitions could last up to three days, but they have shortened over time.
While Semah Laut is deeply spiritual, local leaders recognize its potential environmental benefits, such as giving marine ecosystems time to recover. These observations, though promising, require further study to confirm their impact.
Amid modern challenges like climate change, the people of Pulau Karimata continue to adapt this tradition. For them, Semah Laut is more than a ritual—it is a celebration of identity, resilience, and their enduring connection to the sea.
Revitalizing Coffee Cultivation in Dange Aji
In the remote village of Dange Aji, located in the forests of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Arabica coffee has become a beacon of hope for local farmers. Through a community forestry initiative called the KUPS Agroforestry Cooperative, farmers are working together to cultivate high-quality coffee as a step toward sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship.
In simple nurseries, coffee seedlings have grown into thriving young plants. In early 2024, these were carefully transplanted into community-managed demonstration plots. These efforts reflect not only the community's commitment to sustainable farming but also their desire to protect the surrounding forests by managing their coffee plots in ways that maintain biodiversity and prevent deforestation.
Despite this progress, the farmers face significant challenges, particularly around financial resources and management. In March 2024, members of the Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) convened to discuss these hurdles. Recognizing the need for financial skills, the cooperative undertook basic financial management training. However, larger obstacles remain. The group requires an estimated 25 million rupiah (around USD 1,600) to support planting and post-harvest processes, yet funding proposals have not yet secured the necessary support.
Jemri, the cooperative’s leader, expressed hope that collaboration with local governments and forestry agencies will help bridge this gap. While challenges persist, the farmers remain optimistic, driven by the belief that their dedication will lead to both economic stability and a healthier environment.
As the coffee trees grow, so too does the community’s vision of a sustainable future, built on shared effort, resilience, and the rich flavor of their carefully cultivated Arabica beans.
Water for Life: Protecting Tauk Hamlet’s Clean Water
In Tauk Hamlet, a remote community in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, access to clean water has brought profound change. Once reliant on rain and rivers during the dry season, residents now benefit from a community-built dam that provides a reliable water supply. However, this vital resource is under threat from nearby industrial activity.
The dam was constructed as part of a unique community-led initiative. Funds were raised through a program that encouraged villagers to exchange homemade firearms for construction materials. This innovative approach not only improved safety in the village but also allowed residents to secure a clean water source. Today, the dam serves the entire hamlet, transforming daily life by ensuring consistent access to water, even during droughts.
Aware of the dam’s importance, the community has established a Clean Water Working Group (Pokja) to maintain and protect the water source. The group collects small fees from residents to fund repairs and oversees the dam’s upkeep, including fixing leaks and broken pipes. They also monitor water use to prevent overconsumption and protect the surrounding forest, recognizing its role in preserving the water’s quality.
The community’s efforts are being challenged by plans to restart industrial logging operations in the nearby forest. Residents fear contamination of the water supply and have voiced their concerns to local authorities. They continue to advocate for stronger environmental protections, working together to safeguard their hard-won resource.
This story highlights how rural communities like Tauk Hamlet are taking proactive steps to secure their essential resources, showing resilience and innovation in the face of growing challenges.
Driving Change: The Rise of Motorbike Taxis in Dusun Kendaik
Nestled in the dense tropical forests of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Dusun Kendaik was once a remote and isolated hamlet. Today, it has transformed into a hub of energy and innovation thanks to the resilience and resourcefulness of its youth. Young residents, aged 18 to 30, have embraced motorbike taxi services to overcome the hamlet's challenging terrain, turning their remote village into a vital link within the region.
Navigating steep, muddy paths in the Suti Semarang District, these motorbike taxi drivers transport goods and passengers across treacherous landscapes. Their services are a lifeline for the community, connecting Kendaik to surrounding villages and the district capital of Bengkayang, which is several hours away by riverboat. The motorbikes, often modified to handle rugged conditions, carry agricultural goods to local markets and provide rides for visitors and professionals, such as healthcare workers and technicians.
This innovative transportation network has not only boosted the local economy but also sparked social change. Drivers now use social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to take bookings and coordinate their services, bridging the gap between Kendaik and broader opportunities.
These efforts are inspiring the younger generation, encouraging them to adapt to changing circumstances and create new opportunities. Some youth returning from education outside the region are also joining the movement, using motorbike taxis to earn income and support their families.
Once isolated, Dusun Kendaik now stands as a model of rural transformation, demonstrating how determination and innovation can drive progress, even in the most challenging conditions.
From Rubber to Corn: How Farmers in Kendaik Hamlet Are Building a More Stable Future
In Kendaik Hamlet, a remote village in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, farmers are transforming their livelihoods by shifting from traditional crops like rubber and pepper to corn farming. For years, they struggled with unpredictable market prices and long cultivation periods, making it difficult to secure a stable income. Now, corn is offering them a faster, more reliable source of livelihood.
Unlike rubber trees, which take years to mature, or pepper plants that require extensive maintenance, corn has a harvest cycle of just 110–115 days. This allows farmers to sell their produce multiple times a year, giving them a steady income to invest in their families, education, and healthcare.
A local initiative is playing a key role in this transformation by providing interest-free loans and agricultural training. With access to quality seeds, better tools, and post-harvest management techniques, farmers are increasing their productivity and profits. Selling directly to factories rather than through middlemen ensures they retain more of their earnings, strengthening their financial independence.
Rows of golden corn now stretch across Kendaik Hamlet—a testament to resilience and adaptation. By diversifying their crops, farmers are not only improving their own economic stability but also contributing to a more sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural system.
Fighting Plastic Pollution in Kepulauan Karimata
Kepulauan Karimata, a marine conservation area in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and coral reefs that support local fishing communities. However, the islands face a growing challenge: every year, ocean currents bring plastic waste from across the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, depositing it on the islands’ shores. This plastic pollution threatens marine ecosystems, including critical habitats for sea turtles, and disrupts the livelihoods of local fishers.
The plastic waste, often in the form of bottles, takes centuries to degrade, damaging coral reefs, polluting nesting beaches for turtles, and releasing microplastics into the marine food chain. These microplastics not only harm fish but also pose risks to the humans who consume them. For the communities in Kepulauan Karimata, this issue is more than an environmental concern—it’s a threat to their way of life.
Local efforts to address the problem have faced significant challenges. In the past, community groups organized beach cleanups and sorted waste, but these initiatives stalled due to a lack of funding and resources. Without ongoing support, managing the sheer volume of plastic debris has become increasingly difficult.
Weathering the Storm: Farmers Struggle with Unpredictable Climate
In the highlands of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, farmers have long depended on predictable seasonal cycles to grow their crops. But in recent years, climate change has disrupted these patterns, making farming increasingly uncertain.
In mid-2024, relentless rain and strong winds swept through farming communities, damaging key crops such as beans, tomatoes, and chili peppers. Many farmers lost their entire harvests, leaving them in debt as they had to borrow money to replant. Ironically, while market prices for beans had nearly doubled, there was little produce left to sell.
Some farmers who planted earlier in the season managed to salvage a portion of their crops, offering a lesson in adapting to climate uncertainty. Moving forward, communities are exploring better weather tracking and sustainable farming techniques to build resilience against these shifting environmental conditions.
Unveiling the Unknown: A New Species Discovered in Borneo’s Rainforest
Deep within the rainforests of Borneo, researchers recently made a remarkable discovery—a previously undocumented species of viper. Found in the rocky hills of a remote protected area in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, this striking snake belongs to the Trimeresurus genus, a group known for its role in the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Unlike common misconceptions about vipers, these snakes are not aggressive unless provoked and play an essential role in maintaining biodiversity. Their presence is a reminder of how much of Borneo’s wilderness remains unexplored and the urgent need to protect it.
With so many species still unknown to science, what other secrets does Borneo hold? Every new discovery highlights the importance of safeguarding these forests, one of the last great frontiers of biodiversity, before their wonders are lost. The journey of discovery continues.