WHY TRADITIONAL LEADERS SUCCEED IN FIGHTING INDIGENOUS FOREST?: THE CASE OF DATUK SINARO PUTIH TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY

Abstract

This article focuses on the study of the reasons why traditional leaders succeeded in obtaining customary forests. This study reveals how customary leaders carry out efforts and lobby and convince local governments to establish their customary forests on a formal legal basis so that their customary forests can be protected. Interviews were conducted with traditional and community leaders in the Datuk Sinaro Putih area, the board of the customary forest management institution, the Datuk Sinaro Putih customary forest mapping team from the Bungo Regency Government, and KKI Warsi. The success of the traditional leaders of the indigenous peoples of Datuk Sinaro Putih is due to the affiliation of actors within the indigenous peoples themselves in fighting for the recognition of customary forests. Meanwhile, the external factor is KKI Warsi's total role in advocating for indigenous peoples in lobbying the local government, the Regional People's Representative Assembly, and the media.