The Crucial Role of the Manjau LPHD Patrol Team in Protecting the Manjau Village Forest

Manjau Village Forest is a protected area rich in biodiversity. Unfortunately, the forest faces serious threats from deforestation due to land clearing for plantations and increasingly intensive illegal logging. The Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) Manjau stands at the forefront of protecting this forest by implementing various conservation efforts, with forest patrols being one of the most important and regularly conducted activities.

According to the Decree of the Minister of Environment and Forestry No. SK.495/Menhut-II/2011, LPHD Manjau has been mandated to manage approximately 1,070 hectares of forest area. Located in Laman Satong Village, the Manjau Village Forest lies adjacent to Gunung Palung National Park to the south and the Gunung Tarak Protected Forest, making it an important ecological corridor that connects these two areas. The forest plays a critical role — not only as a wildlife movement corridor but also as a rich biodiversity habitat.

In the Manjau Village Forest, there is a high level of biodiversity that demonstrates High Conservation Value (HCV), including one tree species listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, namely Hopea ferruginea, 8 mammal species, 3 of which are endemic, namely the Red Langur (Presbytis rubicunda), the smallest dwarf squirrel (Exilisciurus exilis), and the Kalawet (Hylobates agilis albibarbis). There are also 68 bird species and 10 herpetofauna species. The presence of this flora and fauna makes the Manjau Village Forest one of the areas with the highest biodiversity in the region.

The Critical Role of Forest Patrols

Forest patrols carried out by LPHD Manjau play a vital role in preserving the Manjau Village Forest. These patrols cover several key aspects:

• Monitoring Illegal Activities: Patrol teams actively monitor and prevent encroachment, illegal logging, and other destructive activities.
• Natural Resource Protection: Patrols focus not only on wildlife and vegetation but also conduct water flow measurements and tree planting in the forest. These efforts help ensure water availability for the community and improve the area’s hydrological conditions.
• Supporting Ecosystem Sustainability: Patrols help maintain the ecological balance and sustainability of the forest.
• Empowering Local Communities: Through patrol activities, LPHD Manjau involves and empowers local residents. This participation fosters environmental awareness and responsibility. By taking an active role in patrols, the community contributes to forest conservation and helps ensure that natural resources remain available for current and future generations.

As an area adjacent to Gunung Palung National Park and the Gunung Tarak Protected Forest, Manjau Village Forest plays a strategic buffer zone role. LPHD Manjau recognizes this importance and continues to intensify forest monitoring and protection. The collective efforts of LPHD Manjau and the local community are key to safeguarding the sustainability of the Manjau Village Forest — not only for today but also for the generations to come.

Source:
“High Conservation Value Area Assessment for Laman Satong Village Forest,” Flora & Fauna International – Indonesia Programme, 2012.