A disastrous flood that submerged newly planted rice fields and several public facilities shook the collective consciousness of the Simancuang community in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The community made the difficult decision to report the illegal loggers that caused the flood to the authorities. And for the first time, a community report was followed up by a judicial process. Yudi Fernandes, member of the KKI Warsi team working with the community, reports.

Effective forest conservation requires a safe operational space for (women) environmental defenders and civil society organisations (CSOs). However, partners and communities in IUCN NL’s Forests for a Just Future programme face substantial challenges in their civic freedoms, as was revealed by a 2023 survey. In order to address urgent cases of repression, intimidation or safety and security concerns, IUCN NL has set money aside for a so-called emergency fund. Over the past four years, we have provided emergency funds to 33 organisations  and individuals for legal support and safety and security measures to environmental defenders and for urgent natural disaster relief.  

The global demand for rattan is causing major damage to the forests of Indonesia, where rattan grows exclusively in the wild. This unsustainable exploitation is causing the rattan to disappear in some areas, putting even more pressure on the underpaid farmers. In Central Sulawesi, farmers are demonstrating that rattan harvesting can be done differently.