Sustainable rattan harvest helps indigenous community

Today I was privileged to watch as some of Harapan Rainforest's Bathin Sembilan indigenous community processed the first three tonnes of rattan harvested from Harapan Rainforest. The villagers are hoping to earn 5-6,000 rupiah (30-40p) per kilo of rattan sold into the commercial market. Rattan is the stem of a climbing palm and will be familiar to people in the West as the material used in 'cane' furniture. I was impressed by the villagers' skills in stripping the canes of their vicious thorns and binding them into bundles for transport. Properly done, rattan extraction is far less environmentally damaging than logging. Let's hope the Bathin Sembilan can get a good price at market, and that rattan collection can contribute to a sustainable livelihood for these communities.

Umar Husein, Head of Community Development.