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Traditional ecological knowledge passed down through generations has become the key to preserving the Repong Damar agroforestry system in Krui, West Lampung, according to a new study by Hidayat, Prof. Dr. Nurdin, and Prof. Dr. Makhya. Conducted by researchers from Indonesian higher education institutions and published in the International Journal of Integrative Sciences (IJIS) in 2026, the study shows that sustainable forest governance depends not only on government regulations but also on cultural values, customary institutions, and intergenerational learning. The findings introduce two new concepts—Intergenerational Ecological Stewardship and Ecological Patience—that offer a fresh perspective on how indigenous communities contribute to long-term environmental sustainability.
The research comes at a time when tropical forests around the world face increasing pressure from land conversion, climate change, biodiversity loss, and expanding agricultural activities. Governments and international organizations continue searching for sustainable forest management models that balance economic development with environmental conservation. The experience of the Krui community in Indonesia demonstrates that indigenous knowledge can provide practical and effective solutions to these global challenges.
Repong Damar is a traditional agroforestry system practiced by indigenous communities in Krui, Pesisir Barat Regency, Lampung Province. Unlike monoculture plantations, Repong Damar combines damar trees (Shorea javanica) with various fruit trees and other forest species, creating a productive landscape that supports both local livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. The system has been maintained for generations through customary laws, cultural traditions, and shared social responsibility.
According to the researchers, the long-term survival of Repong Damar cannot be explained solely by economic incentives. Instead, it is supported by continuous transmission of ecological values from parents to children, strong customary governance, and a collective commitment to protecting forests for future generations.
To better understand this process, the research team adopted a qualitative research design. They collected information through in-depth interviews with customary leaders, Repong Damar farmers, local residents, and community elders. Field observations and document analysis were also conducted to examine traditional forest management practices and local governance systems. The collected information was analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns in ecological value transmission and community-based forest governance.
The study revealed that the sustainability of Repong Damar depends largely on the strength of customary institutions rather than formal legal enforcement. Indigenous regulations determine how forests are inherited, how damar trees are managed, and when harvesting activities may take place. Although these customary rules are largely unwritten, they remain highly respected because they are embedded within local culture, family relationships, and social norms.
The researchers identified three major findings that explain why the Repong Damar system has remained sustainable for centuries.
First, customary institutions function as an effective environmental governance mechanism. Community members collectively enforce rules concerning land ownership, forest management, harvesting rights, and conservation responsibilities. Social sanctions and cultural expectations encourage compliance without requiring intensive government intervention.
Second, inheritance within the Repong Damar system extends far beyond transferring land ownership. Families also pass down ecological knowledge, conservation ethics, cultural identity, and environmental responsibility to younger generations. The researchers describe this process as Intergenerational Ecological Stewardship, a concept emphasizing that sustainable resource management depends on continuously transferring environmental values across generations.
Third, the study introduces the concept of Ecological Patience. Unlike short-term commercial plantations that prioritize immediate economic returns, Repong Damar farmers willingly invest years in cultivating damar trees before receiving financial benefits. This long-term perspective reflects a cultural belief that forests should be protected not only for current needs but also for the welfare of future generations.
According to Hidayat, Prof. Dr. Nurdin, and Prof. Dr. Makhya, sustainable forest governance becomes stronger when environmental ethics, cultural identity, and ecological responsibility are inherited together with natural resources. The researchers argue that conservation should not focus exclusively on technical management or government regulation but should also recognize the social and cultural mechanisms that motivate communities to protect ecosystems over long periods.
The findings have significant implications for environmental policy in Indonesia and beyond. Policymakers are encouraged to strengthen legal recognition of indigenous communities and their customary institutions as partners in sustainable forest governance. Programs related to social forestry, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience may become more effective by integrating traditional ecological knowledge into policy implementation.
The study also offers valuable lessons for educators and civil society organizations. Schools, universities, and environmental organizations can incorporate indigenous ecological knowledge into sustainability education, helping younger generations understand how cultural heritage contributes to environmental conservation. Preserving local wisdom may therefore become an important strategy for achieving long-term sustainable development goals.
Beyond Indonesia, the research contributes to international discussions on social-ecological systems. The concepts of Intergenerational Ecological Stewardship and Ecological Patience provide new theoretical frameworks for understanding how indigenous societies sustain natural resources through cultural continuity rather than technological intervention alone. The authors recommend comparative studies across different countries and indigenous communities to examine the broader applicability of these concepts. They also suggest future research using mixed-methods and longitudinal approaches to explore how modernization, globalization, and technological change influence ecological value transmission.
Author Profile
Hidayat is an Indonesian researcher specializing in social forestry, sustainable natural resource governance, and community-based environmental management.
Prof. Dr. Nurdin is a professor whose expertise includes public policy, regional development, environmental governance, and sustainable development.
Prof. Dr. Makhya is a professor specializing in rural sociology, indigenous institutions, community development, and socio-ecological systems.
Research Source
Journal: International Journal of Integrative Sciences (IJIS)
Publication Year: 2026
Volume and Pages: Vol. 5, No. 6, pp. 735–748
DOI :https://doi.org/10.55927/ijis.v5i6.38
URL : https://journalijis.my.id/index.php/ijis/index
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