“Women-Led Forest Rangers in Indonesia: Protecting the Lungs of the Earth”

In the lush jungle at the foothills of a volcano in Indonesia’s Aceh province, a group of forest rangers, led by women, is working tirelessly to protect their village’s forest from deforestation and poaching. The rangers, accompanied by the song of gibbons in the trees, have been patrolling the forest for years, resulting in a significant decrease in deforestation rates. Their efforts have caught the attention of other women-led groups across Indonesia, who are now seeking to implement similar strategies in their own communities.

Indonesia, home to the world’s third-largest rainforest, has seen over 285,715 square miles of its rainforest logged, burned, or degraded since 1950. The main drivers of deforestation include the development of palm oil, paper, rubber plantations, nickel mining, and other commodities. While deforestation rates have slowed in recent years, the threat still persists.

The village of Damaran Baru, located near a rich expanse of tropical rainforest, heavily relies on the forest for livelihoods. However, unregulated deforestation and abuse of forest resources have led to disastrous consequences, including flash floods and landslides. Villager Sumini witnessed the devastation caused by deforestation firsthand and decided to take action.

Sumini, along with other women in the village, formed a forest patrol group to protect their forest. Despite facing pushback in the patriarchal province governed under Islamic law, Sumini persisted and eventually gained permission to start the group. With the help of the Forest, Nature, and Environment Aceh Foundation, the group obtained a social forestry permit and received training in standardized forest conservation methods.

Since their first official patrol in January 2020, the women rangers have been mapping and monitoring tree coverage, cataloguing plants, and working with farmers to replant trees. They use gentle diplomacy to educate people about the importance of the forest and distribute seeds for planting. The rangers do not carry weapons and focus on peaceful engagement with those they encounter in the forest.

One inspiring story within the group is that of Muhammad Saleh, a former poacher who now patrols the forest with his wife, Rosita. Saleh’s transformation from a poacher to a forest protector showcases the positive impact of the women-led patrol. The rangers’ methods have been adopted by other women-led groups in Indonesia, leading to increased connectivity and collaboration in forest conservation efforts.

While women-led forestry management has shown positive outcomes, challenges remain, including patriarchal attitudes and gender roles. However, the women rangers of Damaran Baru remain committed to their cause, motivated by the positive impact they have already had on their forest and community. Their message is clear: when forests remain green, people remain prosperous.

The work of the women rangers in Damaran Baru serves as a beacon of hope for sustainable forest management in Indonesia and beyond. Their dedication and perseverance highlight the crucial role that women play in protecting our natural environment for future generations.