Sungai Utik : the fight for recognition

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Summary

The Sungai Utik, a Dayak community, follow the cultural practices of their ancestors passed down to them by their elders. For more than 20 years, the Sungai Utik people sought to protect their fore...

The Sungai Utik, a Dayak community, follow the cultural practices of their ancestors passed down to them by their elders. For more than 20 years, the Sungai Utik people sought to protect their forested land from interference by government and from the greed of outsiders who were decimating ancient forests and homelands to create lucrative palm oil plantations. In response to the community's complaints, the government denied the Sungai Utik electricity, paved roads, and fresh water. This hostile treatment drew the attention of NGOs, who helped the Sungai Utik register legal claims to the land on which they lived.

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