A weekend away in Buntuoi Village

  

Buntoi villagers asked KTD to help arrange a trial-run visit by a group of foreigners in order to get feedback on their ecotourism initiative. It was a happy group of ex-pats who came along on a weekend away. Sited down stream on the tidal Kahayan River, Buntuoi is the ancestral home of the current Governor of Central Kalimantan with its own iconic longhouse, and long known as a centre of fine small holder rubber production and rattan weaving.

We set off from Palangkaraya on a Saturday morning and after a 3 hour drive we arrived at the village boundary, marked by its dramatic spirit house. Designed to keep troublesome spirits out, we each had to declare our intentions in coming. Our next stop was at the longhouse where a warm welcome awaited - Dayak water and white paint.

The villages of Buntoi, Mentaren, Gohong and Kalawa, strung along the Kahayan River, have gained community rights to manage their forest, which stands inland, a swathe of deep peat separating it from the villages and making it difficult to access. Visitors of the most intrepid kind only can reach the interior forest presently, but plans are to create a controlled and timely access. With an area of about 16,025 hectares, this forest is currently under serious threat from oil palm interests, seasonal fires and illegal logging. The villagers would like to protect it indefinitely, and as part of that effort, to develop sustainable eco tourism. Initial surveys revealed orangutan nests, the endangered pangolins, honey bear and rich birdlife. 

Buntoi village was chosen by the Central Kalimantan provincial government as a REDD+ demonstration village. REDD means Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest degradation in Developing countries. REDD+ goes beyond this to include the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. As a result of Buntuoi village's status, UNESCO built the Climate Communication Centre (CCC) for information and learning on environmental conservation and enhancement there. The Centre is a central focus point for village information on managing the environment sustainably. It provides a venue for research, workshops and meetings and accommodation for groups in dormitory accommodation.

We visited the CCC and admired the solar power installations and beautiful bamboo craftsmanship, and bought some locally crafted rattan, which we had seen being made in the longhouse.

Overnighting in the longhouse on simple mattresses in the open areas, we enjoyed delicious food prepared for us by the local women. Early morning saw us preparing for a ride on the river, taking a motorised canoe, or klotok, to visit the other villages of Mantaren, Kalawa and Gohong. In Mantaren we saw how the local long karamba or fish trap is made. In Kalawa we saw how rattan vines are harvested. In Gohong, amidst the village, we danced farewell to these welcoming and energetic people.

Contact us at KTD, kalimantantours@gmail.com for a trip to Buntuoi.