The Dilemma of a Dwindling Resource: Rattan in L(Erinci, Sumatra

r89l SIEBERT:RATTAN IN SUMATRA 79

.incipes,33(.2\, 1989, PP.79-87 The Dilemma of a Dwindling Resource: Rattan in l(erinci, Sumatra

SrnPsoNF. SrEsnnr DeDartmentof Natural Resources,Cornell LJniuersity'Ithaca, NY 14853 I of In 1972, John Dransfield (1974) the identification and development "rotan I ,rbserved that manau" (Calamus appropriate remedial measures. nanan) was'oextraordinarily abundant" This articleexamines deforestation and of in the hill dipterocarp forests ofthe Batang rattan exploitation in the Kerinci region "the \lerangin in Jambi, Sumatra and that west-central Sumatra, Indonesia. Follow- hill-slopes and ridges (in the nearby Bukit ine a discussionof fore't conversion and Barisan) carried an almost overwhelming ,uttun ,rr", the cultivation and manage- lariety of rattans." In 1987, all that ment of the rattan, Calamus pilosellus remained of the Batang Merangin forests Becc., is examined as a potential economic rvere huge burnt stumps and where pre- development and forest conservation tool. "manau" r-iously had flourished there are Random sample plot analyses of wild rat- now thousands of hectares of coffee' cin- tans, seedling propagation trials, on-farm namon, and pepper farms. In similar fash- experiments, and interviews with rattan ion, the forests of the Bukit Barisan are handicraft producers were used to gather pockmarked by small farms whose num- the data. The basic premise of the article t".. t""* to be growing at exponential is that the popular preservationist plea, "conservation rates. for development" is mis- To those familiar with the plight of trop- placed and that emphasis should actually "development ical rain forests, these observations are be for conservation." neither new nor profound; they simply pro- Deforestation in Kerinci will likely be con- vide additional evidence of the rapid trolled only to the extent that alternatives destruction of the world's richest biome. to forest conversion, expecially forest While the rate and extent of tropical defor- farming, are found. Enterprises that simul' estation is grim, particularly in countries taneously encourage economic growth and such as Indonesia, the situation is not yet forest conservation are desperately needed. hopeless.As Mares ( 1986) noles wilh respect to South America, conservation of i tropical flora and fauna is still possiblepro- Kerinci r.ided there is a Marshall Plan-like financial (Kabu' and institutional commitment by the indus- Kerinci is an administrative unit I (Fig' l). It has trialized West and major reforms in trop- paten) in Jambi, Sumatra an indig- ical countries themselves. been inhabited for centuries by who I ncreased financial suPPort and enousethnic group. the Kerincinese- in the improved institutional capacities alone will developed an extensive rice culture also not control deforestation. Effective tropical t0 by B0 km long valley. Kerinci national forest conservation will also require refers to a I.5 million heclare improved understanding of the underlying park, Kerinci-Seblat, that completely Kerinci, caus"s and rationale of deforeslation and encircles the valley and to Mt. 80 PRINCIPES [Vor.33

o^ 7f+4 KEY ,/ KerincFseblatN.P. Boundary x \ SCALE1 :375,000 Mt.Kerinci KabupatenKsrinci Boundary

Roads

1. Kerinci, Sumatra. which at 3,800 m, is one of the highest alpine heath communities and critical wild- peaksin the Malay Archipelago. life habitat for such rare and endangered Kerinci-SeblatN.P. containsa diverse species as the Sumatran tiger, serow, assemblageof flora and.[auna" including Sumatran rhino and elephant. In short, it the entire range of lowland dipterocarp to is a preserve of global conservation sig- .esel SIEBERT:RATTAN IN SUMATRA 8I

'rificance. Management of KerinciSeblat \.P. is seriously complicated by the Kabu- :'aten Kerinci enclave. At present, approx- rrrately27 5,000 people live in the Kerinci -'nclave and the population is increasing .:Ltabout 2.27o annually' Agriculture :emains the economic base of the region ,sithirrigated rice and perennial cash crops i.e., cinnamon and coffee) the major products. Kerincinese utilize forest resources, ,*'hich means the national park, for a variety of purposes, especially rattan and tim- ber,Batherin8 and for acquiring new farm

The Useand Abuseof Rattanin Kerinci

Rattan has been widely usedin binding" basketry for many genera- rreaving, and 2. SungaiTutung artisansweave rattan baskets In fact, a tradition of tions in Kerinci. Qanke)wing splitCalamus pilosellus canes. rattan basket weaving developed in the village of Sungai Tutung to the extent that this single village now provides the entire abundant and largely undisturbed resource valley with its rattan basket needs (Fig. 2). prior to the mid-1970s. At present, local rattan use is largely In the mid-1970s two events would begin confined to two species: Calamus manan, to shake the foundation of the Sungai rvhoselarge, strong canes are used to make Tutung rattan business and ultimately basket frames, and C. pilosellus whose threaten the forest resources of the entire small, white canes are split and used in region: the illegal and nearly complete basket weaving and general binding. Other extermination of C. manan for export fur- rattans, such as Calarnus sp. and Kor- niture manufacturing and a rapid increase thalsia rigida, may be occasionally used' in the rate and extent of forest conversion but because ofinferior color, strength, and to farms. rvorkability, they are much less desired The collection of rattan and all other than C. manan and C. pilosellus. plant and animal products from Kerinci The history of cornmercial rattan gath- forests is prohibited. In reality, observance erine in Kerinci dates from the Dutch of this regulation is far from complete. colonial period. Dutch records reveal, for Beginning in the mid-1970s and continu- example, that as early as l9l3 16,361 ing until the early l9B0s' C. mananhar- "rotan kg of sego" (probahly Cakt'nr'us vesting was big businessin Kerinci. Recon- caesius) worth 3,009 Dutch guilders was structing details of this trade is difficult from Kerinci (Anom., I915). The due to its illegal nature. However, con- exported o'manau" extent of this early rattan trade and its versations with former collectors' impact on the abundance and diversity of revealed that, at its peak, hundreds of men, wild rattan is difficult to determine. How- working in teams of 6 to B cruised the ever, based on Dransfield's observations National Park forests up to 40 km from (I97 4) and the recollections of collectors, the valley. Harvested canes were carried rattan in Kerinci appears to have been an to the roadside where they were stored in PRINCIPES lvor. 33

and then shipped chili-pepper sauce that is a staple at every warehouse-like buildings 'sambal,' by truck to Padang for export. Kerincinese meal); we prefer fish for veg- One wonders how an illegal business of but if the fish is gone weoll settle 'sambal' just plain this size and longevity could prosper with- etable or as a last resort, 'sambal,' 'sambal.' " out official knowledge. The answer is sim- but we have to have "official." C. pilosel- ple, it was KODIM, the local Whether or not C. manan, over the military unit, in cooperation with a Javanese 1as.or anv other rattans survive on the businessman reportedly operated the busi- Iong-term will ultimately depend is controlled. ness. Such blatant disregard for forestry extent to which deforestation the con- regulations is unfortunately not unusual in Habiiat destruction, particularly cash crops' Indonesia where, as Robison (1985) version of forests to perennial uncontrolled cogently argues, state (military) exploita- is widespread and completely N'P. (Fig. 3). tion of natural resources for its own benefit throughout Kerinci-Seblat forest deg- is the norm. The current rate and extent of of Commercial rattan exploitation in Ke- radation is unknown and in the absence .rinci has now ceased, not because Indo- remote sensing data, is probably impossible ground nesian institutions have changed, although to determine. However' informal sectors there is increased concern about forest surveys in the eastern and central or imminent conservation, but rather because all export- of the park indicate complete to gently quality canes have already been collected. forest conversion in most flat soil Th" "o--"t"ial rattan operation gathered sloping areas (Fig. 4). The favorable these sites only C. m.anan and thus did not affect and topographic conditions of many rat- other rattans. However, the impact on C. are probably also productive for nl&nan was profound; hundreds of tons tan species as well. will require were extracted and the specieswas almost Control of forest conversion and exterminated. Rattan gatherers report that identifying the farmers involved their activ- C. manan are now found only as immature understanding the rationale for plants in isolated sites and that fruiting iLies. Deforestation in lhe eastern and cen- is largely the plants have not been observed since the tral sectors of Kerinci-seblat households early 1970s. The fact that C. manan does work of young: resource-poor valley not reproduce vegetatively and that col- from three villages in the central Sungai lection of immature canes (i.e., before (Semerup, Siulak Deras and farmers fruiting) continues for Sungai Tutung bas- Tutung). Discussions with forest land deg- ket making casts serious doubt about the from these villages reveal that potential survival of this species. radation (i.e., soil infertility and erosion) or Conservation of C. ffLanan will require has made hillside farming unproductive regions, that the complete cessation of all harvesting in unprofitable in their home land the hope that remaining immature plants population pressure and resultant o{ will mature and set fruit. If C. manan rcarcity deprive many young families (either on the harvesting is to stop, however, alternative access to farming altogether that there basket framing material will have to be slopes or in the rice fields)' and avail- developed. Some Sungai Tutung artisans "r" tto alternative income sources forest have already begun makhg portions o{ able. In other words, from the their basket frames out of wood' (Toona farmer's point of view, forest conversion scarcity sureni), while others substitute the crude is a logical response [o resource but serviceatrle canes of another rattan in the absence of economic alternatives. (Korthalsia rigida). Undoubtedly, a sub- Understanding the logic of deforestation stitute will be found, fof as one artisan put is invaluable because it can steer resource "for 'sambal' alter- it, us rattan is like (the fiery managers towards potentially viable esel SIEBERT:RATTAN IN SUMATRA

3. View of Sungai Kuning forest conversion, 25 km inside Kerinci-Seblat National Park. rraliresand away from stralegiesthat are craft manufacturing and marketing in the likely to fail. For example, given economic village of Sungai Tutung. necessity, coercive measures and simple prohibitions alone are unlikely to stop Rattanfor DeveloPmentand deforestation. In fact, years of vigorous Conservation policing and now an extremely costly program of forced eviction and relocation sup- Environmental and socioeconomic con- port this point; deforestation has not even ditions in Sungai Tutung are poor by Ke- slowed. rinci standards; the slopesabove the village The realization that economic need is are severely degraded and now largely the driving force behind deforestation abandoned to Imperata cylindrica grass, implies that its control will require devel- there is no room to expand irrigated rice oping real economic alternatives. That production and many households lack voune households who lack access to land accessto land altogether, traditional rattan o, oth", opportunities are the principal basket and handicraft making is con- forest farmers, suggests that this group strained by shortages of canes and capital, 'hould be targeted for assistanceprograms and economic alternatives to forest farm- and that initial efforts should focus on the ing are unavailable to the bulk of the pop- three villages noted above. Lastly, a de- ulation. The predictable result is thai tailed understanding of local conditions hundreds of Sungai Tutung residents suggests at least one potential remedial mierate to the forest to cultivate coffee, measure worthy of further consideration: cinnamon, and other cash crops. In cruel the cultivation and management of C. pilo- irony. Sungai Tutung rallan artisansare sellus trt coniunction with rattan handi flocking primarily to the Batang Merangin 33 PRINCIPES [Vor. B4

KEY

Kerinci-SeblalN.P. Boundary \

Kabupatsn Ksrinci Boundary

Roads mDelorested Ar€a

of Kerinci-seblat National Park' 4. Forest conversion in the Kerinci region

remain interested in producing rattan where Dransfield marveled at the abun- 'omanau" products.What then are the prospectslor dance of just l5 years ago' Dis- developingviable householdrattan busi- cussions with these- lnigrants reveal that: nessesin Sungai Tutung? most would prefer to live and work in Sun- A sustainable and productive rattan gai Tutung given the choice and most t-

SIEBERT:RATTAN IN SUMATRA

lustry requires assured supplies, efficient rn C. pilosellas populations appears to :,rduction, and adequate markets. The result from microtopographic features, ailability of rattan, in terms of quantity, particularly soil drainage characteristics ;ality, and desired species, probably rep- and the density of the forest canopy (Sie- --entsthe greatest constraint to expanded bert, unpubl. data). Disturbed and undis- ,ttan handicraft production. As previ- turbed sites did not differ significantly with isly noted, current rattan harvesting in respect to the proportion of mature plants ',,'rinci occurs primarily in the National (i.e., those producing canes), which sup- .rrk and is thus illegal. Before rattan busi- ports collectors' observations that C. pilo- -'ssescan be expanded a sustainable and sellus can be repeatedly harvested. gal source of cane must be identified. Based on the apparent abundance, veg- High quality rattan handicraft produc- etative reproductive characteristics, and .,n will require an abundant supply of C. ability to be repeatedly harvested, National ,losellus and small amounts of C. ma'nan Park personnel should consider allowing : a suitable substitute. For conservation managed collection of C. pilosellzs for use :rrposesthe prohibition against C. manan in local basketry and handicraft businesses. ,,llection should be maintained and an Sections of the park could be opened for 'ternative found for its use in basket limited rattan gathering based upon esti- :ames. As noted above, wood or second- mates of supply and demand while periodic r\ rattan species appear to be viable sub- monitoring could insure sustained yield -iitutes. The prohibition against C. pilo- management. "llus, on the other hand, needs to be Naiional Park oersonnel will have to be -.'evaluated. convinced of the conservation value of C. pilosellus, unlike C. manct'n, is a managed forest product trade and encour- lustering rattan, capable of profuse veg- aged to assistthe program. At present, the .'tative propagation (Siebert, unpubl. data) only alternative to forest farming provided ,nd, according to collectors, is not adversely by park planners is eviction and relocation. ,ifected by repeated harvesting (i.e., it This program will move approximately 150 -r)routs new canes). In addition, it is found forest farmers from Kerinci to lowland :r a wide variety of forest types throughout Jambi where they are to become rubber "transmigra- [erinci and appears to be extremely abun- tappers. The viability of this iant (Siebert, unpubl. data). tion" program is dubious due to the high Basic abundance and age class distri- cost (thousands of dollars per household), :,r.rtiondata of C. piloselftl.s populations thousands of households involved and high ,\ere estimated in undisturbed and previ- failure rate; the majority of those relocated ,usly collected primary forests in the two in an earlier program have reportedly r,rincipal rattan collecting regions of Ke- already given up rubber tapping and :inci (Sungai Kuning and Lempur, Fig. i). returned to Kerinci. I'rventy-five sample plots, each l0 x 20 In addition to managed harvesting of :n or L/50 ha, were established at regular wild C. pilosellus, the cultivation of this :ntervals along random transects in four economically important species should be ,rcations (one undisturbed and one dis- examined. Cinnamon and coffee are the :urbed site in both areas) and the number most important cash crops in Kerinci; col- .irrd size of C. pilosellus plants noted in lectively they occupy about 60,000 ha. .'ach plot. The results indicate that there Cinnamon is typically cultivated on fertile : an average of I22 (+164) and 320 or recently cleared forest land with seed- +452) C. pilosellus plants per hectare lings planted at about 3 m intervals. The n the Sungai Kuning and Lempur regions, trees grow rapidly and are usually har- :espectively. The wide standard deviation vested between l0 and 18 vears of age. 33 PRINCIPES lVoL.

local Kerinci market. Not surprisingly' the Following harvest, the trees coppice and demand for rattan products in Kerinci is the cycle is repeated. The partial shade, limited. However, several artisans produce moist fertile soils, and lengthy rotation (e.g., Iamps' vases, cassette period in cinnamon cultivation may be con- handicrafts holders. etc.) for other Indonesian mar- irl"iu" to intercropping C' pilosellus demand for Sungai Tutung harr- trees that already provide partial kets. The beneath to the The same dicrafts is strong and, according shade (i.e., at Year 3 or 4)' producers"is constrainedonly by lhe sup- oooortunily may exist beneath coffee as ply of cane, lack of capital. and absence *"i1, ulthough t-hethorns of C' pilosellus Li"utt" processing equipment' The Depart- could make coffee harvesting verY ment oi Industry should expand capital unpleasant. given ade- of intercrop- and marketing assistance and, To explore'pilosellus the possibility quate rattan supplies and markets, assist ping C. in hillside farms, 20 in the acquisition of cane processmg equrp- ".rtii.,g. (Lach comprised of root stock and an abJveground shoot) were collected and ment. transplanied beneath perennial crops (cin- Conclusion ,ru*o., coffee, and rubber) in four hillside The cultivation and management of C' farms. Dozens of farmers expressed inter- pilosellus.in conjunction with ratlan mar- est in the trials' thus if successful, exten- keting and processing assistance' repre- sion ofthe program to other Sungai Tutung^ sents a potentially productive and sustarn- farmers could-proceed rapidly' Results of able livelihood activity for Sungai Tutung the trial will not be available for several households who lack alternative income vears: however, two months after trans- sources. A vigorous household rattan planting, seedling survivorship appeared industry could not only provide poor hieh in all sites. househllds with a much needed so[rce of Expanding household rattan businesses income, but would offer an economic alter- will also require improvements in process- native to forest farming and thereby reduce ing, production. and marketing' A survey deforestation pressures in Kerinci-Seblat of"ruirun arlisans in Sungai Tutung revealed National Park. Intercropping C' piLoselLus that lack of capital (to purchase raw mate- beneath perennial crops would also inten- rials) and need for labor saving devices sify hillsiie farming and raise farm house- (especially machinery to clean and split hold incomes. "un"r) ut" major constraints to increased Obviously' rattan cultivation and man- productivity. The Department of lndustry' asement alone will not solve the forest which has been an advocateof local rattan cJnservation problems in Kerinci or any- businesses, has assisted Sungai Tutung where else. Ho*errer, development efforts artisans with production and marketing that build upon existing livelihood activi- problems in the past and is aware of these ties, utiJizelocal resources. generate a via- problems. [n fact. the Department con- ble means of subsistence, and provide ducted a studv in I986-87 and concluded incentives to maintain forest cover, such that while the industry would benefit from as household rattan businesses, represent cane processing equipment, the volume of perhaps the only way tropical rain {orests produition was too small to warrant invest- i.t Ketlttci and in many other regions of ine in it. the troPics can be Preserved' Finallv. if rattan businesses are to provide a viable livelihood, it will be necessary Acknowledgments to expand present markets and increase thanks are due to John Drans- net income. The vast majority of current Special for determining the identity of C' pilo- Sungai Tutung production is sold in the field re89l SIEBERT:RATTAN IN SUMATRA aa

"Papyrus," sellus and to Natalie W. Uhl for editorial maatschappij Batavia, Indonesia.86 assistance.Research funding was provided pp. by grants from The Garden Club of Amer- Dn,tNsrrtrn, l. 1974. Notes on the palm flora of central Sumatra.Reinwardtia 8: 519 531. ica and the Harold E. Moore Jr. Endow- MARES,M. 1986. Conservationin South America: ment Fund. problems, consequences,and solutions. Science 233: 734-739. Rontsotl, R. 1985. Class,capital and the state in LttrReruRu Crrnn New Order Indonesia. 1z: R. Higgott and R. Robison (eds.). Southeast Asia: essays in the ANoN. I915. Mededeelingen Encyclopaedisch political economy of structural change. Rout. Bureau.Aflevering VIII 19I5, N.V. Uitgevers- ledge and Kegan Paul, London, pp. 295 335.

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