When the river is dry

Capitalism can create destruction to traditions and way of life (not only destruction to physical environment).

Kalimantan is well known for its fast deforestation. The rate of deforestation is very high in Kalimantan. There are some big programs now such as Heart of Borneo, that try to protect the last rain forest in Kalimantan in 3 countries i.e. Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. The forest is not only the sink of carbon emission but also home of millions species including the famous Orang Hutan. The deforestation should be stopped now, if not capitalists are responsible for making Dayak people uprooted from their tradition and way of life.

Kalimantan, as the name, has many big rivers (river=kali, in Javanese). The river shaped the tradition and way of life of Dayak people. River is their life. River is their tradition. Since you are a kid, if you are Dayak, your parents would introduce the river as early as possible. There is only very very small number of Dayak people that cannot swim (I do not have the figure). River provides them with life and nutrition. The fish gives them important nutrition. River provides them easy transportation (compared to walking in the forest) to and from villages. In short river is their life.

What happen if the forest is gone and nothing left? Flood. Land slide. Summer fog due to fire in the grass land. Long draught. Rivers that are dry. Only damages are listed there. Beyond that, one can imagine that Dayak peole will lose their source of living. Their source of tradition (beside forest). It is destructing their tradition. The world will come to final equilibrium, but it is possible that the final equilibrium will be worse than now and unbearable to us.

I am opposing forest destruction. Mining in Kalimantan is very mean. Mining companies dig up the coal using open pit technique. They destroy forest, dig the soil, dump the soil somewhere else and let the used mining site as it is. Mining is destruction. Indonesia should reduce the coal consumption (go for renewable...or the best of the worst choice nuclear). Reduce exports of coal. Increase the productivity of sustainable forest as a change for reducing coal mining.

It is not Orang Hutan that should be protected, but Dayak people that should be protected from being uprooted from their tradition and way of life. Use capitalism wisely. Rich country should reduce their greed. If you are dead you will not bring your treasures with you in the grave. Reduce consumption.....

Safe Kalimantan Forest...