Covid-19 endangers the sustainability of the rainforest in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
“To me, rainforest has become an integral part of indigenous tribes, orangutan, fauna and flora as well as local tourism in Tanjung Puting, Kalimantan. However, palm tree expansion has now threatened our rainforest dependent eco-tourism (local tourist guide at Tanjung Puting Orang utan Park)”
Tanjung Puting, Orangutan Park has become the epicenter of tourism and nature conservation in Kalimantan. Its existence contributes to local economy and the sustainability of the rainforest. Many animals and vegetations rely on this conservation vast area. Orangutans, Dutch Monkey (Proboscis Monkey), birds, wild pigs- you name it attract many visitors. This human and non-human relationship represents symbiotic mutualism. Visitors obtain comfort and tranquility from this wilderness. It heals visitors’ stressful and monotonous urban lives. At the same time, visitors underpin local small and medium-sized tourism companies and the rainforest ecosystem sustainability. The local tourism companies donate their incomes to rainforest conservation efforts such as forest road, tree replantation, and orangutan conservation program.
Tanjung puting manifests equally shared well-beings
Although palm tree expansions in Kalimantan have made a significant contribution to Indonesian economy and poverty alleviation, the earned incomes are hardly distributed among Indonesian society. The governance system in Indonesia is still considered infant. That is why the revenues acquired from palm tree expansions are often circulated around the elite minority. The majority cannot taste directly the sweetness of Indonesian economic development through palm oil industries. And again, corruption seems to be a chronic disease in this country. It hampers the aspiration for evenly shared incomes.
Many people from inside and outside Kalimantan get employed by the local tourism companies. They run their giant wooden boat tours. Voyaging along the rainforest river of Tanjung Puting, Kalimantan.
“I feel safe and fulfilled to work with the local tourism here. Before I lived in Java Island. To obtain 50 thousand rupiah a day is hard there but here I can earn more in one day. I feel empowered, too. My home cooking can bring happiness to the tourists (female chef on the boat tour)”
It seems a normal practice for local young people to learn English by being helpers on the boats. The local tourism companies train them on how to take care foreign tourists in a good manner. They serve the meals on the tables. Bring the beverages and wet towels to the sweaty guests. They give the five star hotel service(s) on their boat tour(s). As a reward, they learn English by talking and listening to their foreign guests. When their English speaking is good enough, the local tourism companies hire them to be the tour guides. Meaning that they earn more money for their families.
Such improved well-beings are felt by local tourism company owners, employees, female chefs and animals whose live rely on the rainforest. Something that oil palm industries cannot give.
Covid-19 and unprecedented challenges for the rainforest eco-tourism
Covid-19 has joined the party to devastate the local company tourism. Since October 2020, none boat trips have made. Before covid-19, European, American and Australian visitors who used to flood Tanjung Puting, Orangutan Park. Now, with a strict travel restriction from the western world, local tourism companies do not earn any incomes for themselves and their employees. What’s worse is that palm tree expansions are immune to Covid-19. Investors are pouring out their money to expand palm tree plantations.
“Here local people have a comical proverb, after the rainforest fire, palm trees grows to dominate the forest. (laughed*). (Local tour guide)”
Many cosmetic, food, and beverage products rely on palm oils regardless of the pandemic. This demand sustains the palm oil industries. It can easily outcompete such a local eco-tourism business. The author does not say that it is all bad when it comes to palm oil companies. However, with the lack of management, the palm tree will be relentlessly planted. It turns the vast area of the rainforest into palm plantations. Sadly, not only it affects animals and vegetations but also the powerless group of people.
The existing pandemic has put fuel in the fire. It severely devastates the eco-tourism, creating poverty and limiting donation for the orangutan conservation park. That said, with limited donated money, the palm oil companies are likely to win the contestation of economic investment. They have more power to take over the rainforest for their elite minority.
Reducing the trade-offs
Of course, traveling during the pandemic is risky. In fact, very much dangerous. It can transfer Covid-19 to animals. “Undetected” positive Covid-19 visitors could spread the virus to people and animals. Nevertheless, there seems an alternative to reduce the trade-offs between visiting Tanjung Puting and disease transfers.
- Swap and rapid test
Every single airport in Indonesia has facilitated the swap and the rapid test to detect Covid-19. Visitors can use this facility to check their covid-19 status. Positive or negative. If you are proved covid-19 negative, you can carry on to enjoy the boat tour and the rainforest.
2. Hygiene and health protocols
The boat tour is exclusive and made personal. You can use the boat with only your pact (e.g., friends or families). In any case, one wooden boat is filled with three to four people. Most of them are someone you know. Not foreigners. Each ship has allowed you to do social distancing with other foreign visitors you do not know in that respect. That is why you can just accompany yourself with hand sanitizers, masks, and other hygiene and health equipment.
3. Mental health benefits
During this pandemic, life has been challenging for everyone. You need to take a break. This chance allows you to connect with nature. You can disconnect from the fast pace of your life. You can feel energized. It may also give you tranquility, peacefulness, and a refreshed mind. This entirety contributes to your mental health.
All in all, Covid-19 has become a “new terror”. It stops us from enjoying life. Connecting with nature, such as the rainforest, too, is arduous to do. Yet, it does not hamper the palm oil companies to convert the rainforests into palm tree plantations. That is why, the rainforest needs you, and the same goes for you. It is the time when you can articulate a new normal practice in the right way. You can protect the rainforest’s sustainability. At the same time, You can support the wellbeing of the local people.