Infodoc : Sciences, Techniques et Culture

Dayak ethnic groups are known to rely on the swidden cultivation system and on forest products’ gathering, depending on the persistence level of traditional practices in some context of more or less access to modernization in the broad sense. The Mendalam watershed is located in the northern area of Putussibau, in Kapuas Hulu regency of West-Kalimantan and inhabited by different Dayak’s ethnic groups as Bukat and Kayan which are traditionally relying on the swidden system. This area is still preserved from the expansion of oil palm plantation and Mendalam River presents the particularity to flow from the National park of Betung Kerihun until Putussibau, the Bukat community living in Nanga Hovat hamlet located at the upstream and the Kayan community living in Datah Dian hamlets located[...]

Dayak ethnic groups are known to rely on the swidden cultivation system and on forest products’ gathering, depending on the persistence level of traditional practices in some context of more or less access to modernization in the broad sense. The Mendalam watershed is located in the northern area of Putussibau, in Kapuas Hulu regency of West-Kalimantan and inhabited by different Dayak’s ethnic groups as Bukat and Kayan which are traditionally relying on the swidden system. This area is still preserved from the expansion of oil palm plantation and Mendalam River presents the particularity to flow from the National park of Betung Kerihun until Putussibau, the Bukat community living in Nanga Hovat hamlet located at the upstream and the Kayan community living in Datah Dian hamlets located at the downstream. These two villages seemed to be exposed to differentially city access and conservation trends caused by their geographical contexts and which were supposed to have influenced changes in each community’s livelihood system. This study gives an overview of each community’s livelihood system, what are the main drivers of changes across time and how the actors related with the area of the study have an impact on villager’s practices.