The story of Hutan Desa Karya Mandiri (Karya Mandiri Village Forest) is inspiring. The Rangkong Indonesia team––the Conservation Unit of Rekam Nusantara, along with local people carried out their routine conservation patrol, but this time, the journey turned into an adventure filled with challenges and courage.
The team found evidence of bird poaching in the forest, which is a serious threat to biodiversity. Poachers were targeting birds such as the Magpie Robin, White-rumped Shama, and Hill Myna. The team took immediate action, destroying nets and sticky traps used by the poachers. This courageous move aimed to stop the illegal poaching that has been a problem in the Kalimantan forests. They also encountered poachers from the village of Nanga Taman and warned them sternly.
As a result of their brave actions, illegal poaching from outside the village stopped. The beautiful songs of birds returned to the forest, signaling the restoration of its delicate balance.
The spirit of conservation spread to the surrounding communities. Discussions with the Tourism Observer Group led to the installation of more "No Hunting" signs in strategic areas. Even the residents of Nanga Serawak village were inspired to protect their forest from illegal poachers. Many others in the area also recognized the importance of safeguarding the ecosystem that supports their lives.
Challenges remain as poaching of songbirds threatens nearby areas. But Desa Karya Mandiri has shown that when communities come together, nature can be protected. This is a story of human collaboration with nature, where courage and care can change the fate of forests and wildlife.
Desa Karya Mandiri is sending a powerful message to the world: protecting nature is not just about conservation, but also about securing the future of communities. This forest is more than just trees and birds; it is a source of life that we must pass on to future generations.
