BUPDA Initiative: Enhancing Management of Pegringsingan Tenganan’s Potential

The Tenganan Pegringsingan Indigenous Community received a Decree on the Determination and Recognition of the Tenganan Customary Forest from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry on January 23, 2019. This forest, spanning 564.73 hectares, serves as a protected area and a plantation ground, tended by local farmers. The Tenganan Pegringsingan Traditional Forest holds remarkable biological diversity, sustaining the community’s livelihoods.

The customary forest serves two primary functions: protection and production. The protected forest area, covering 291.74 hectares, comprises bet areas dominated by jaka (palm) trees, while the production forest, spanning 272.99 hectares, consists of moorlands dominated by nyuh (coconut) trees. However, challenges persist, with forest management not optimized due to activities concentrated in the village’s residential core. The responsibility of managing fields and bet (dense forest) areas falls largely on cultivators and farmers.

Two essential resources in the Tenganan Pegringsingan traditional forest are tingkih (candlenut) and kolang-kaling from jaka (palm) trees. However, direct utilization of candlenuts and palm fruit remains limited among the indigenous community, compounded by the absence of a systematic approach to their management.

1. Tingkih (Candlenut): Candlenut wood (Aleurites moluccana), akin to durian wood, is considered prohibited unless it falls naturally due to wind. The candlenut fruit itself is also off-limits for picking, only suitable for use once fallen from the tree. Candlenuts play a vital role in Tenganan Pegringsingan, particularly in coloring gringsing threads, essential for crafting the village’s distinctive double-tied cloth. Historically, villagers, especially gringsing weavers, extracted candlenut oil from forest-harvested fruits.
2. Jaka (Aren): Jaka (aren/enau) dominates the bet areas, though historical accounts suggest a less dense jaka population in the past, allowing for the growth of other large trees. While modern jaka trees tend to be taller, not all produce sap (pegat palm wine). Palm wine, renowned for its sweet taste, serves as a significant income source for the community and cultivators. The reddish hue of Tenganan Tuak, derived from kutat tree fibers, lends it a distinctive flavor. Jaka fruit also serves as an alternative income source, often processed into kolang kaling, sales of which surge during holidays.

Efforts are underway to transform the Tenganan Pegringsingan Customary Forest into a self-sufficient and sustainable community-managed area. Plans include capacity-building initiatives for the indigenous community and the establishment of a candlenut and palm oil processing enterprise under BUPDA (Baga Utsaha Padruwen Traditional Village).

A socialization event introducing BUPDA took place on Monday, January 22, 2024, at the Wantilan, Tenganan Pegringsingan Traditional Village. The presentation on “BUPDA: Traditional Village-Based Economic Management in Bali ” was delivered by Mr. Dr. Drs. I Made Wena, M.Sc., of Kutuh Traditional Village, currently serving as Patajuh Bandesa Agung MDA Bali Province.

BUPDA, a traditional village business institution operating within the real economic sector, employs modern management principles. It aims to elevate the living standards of the Traditional Village Krama, guided by the Tri Hita Karana philosophy and local wisdom.

During discussions, it was emphasized that the Traditional Village needs a dedicated team to formulate BUPDA regulations, requiring courage, knowledge, and authority. Despite existing traditional management practices, formalizing BUPDA’s structure will optimize management and outcomes. This endeavor, focusing on candlenut and palm oil production, will be spearheaded by the Tenganan Pegringsingan Traditional Village in collaboration with the Wisnu Foundation, with support from The Samdhana Institute.