Ecocentrism in Petkuq Mehuey on Dayak Wehea, East Kutai-East Kalimantan

Abstract

This study examines Petkuq Mehuey, the local wisdom of the Dayak Wehea community in protecting the Wehea forest in East Kalimantan. Wehea Forest is one of the most productive forests, helping to reduce vulnerability and protect wildlife from the impacts of climate change, while also maintaining a favorable microclimate in Kalimantan. From an ecocentric perspective, this paper examines the local wisdom efforts of the Dayak Wehea indigenous community in Nehas Liah Bing Village, East Kutai, East Kalimantan, in safeguarding this forest area. The findings indicated that the patrol group formed by the community contributed to maintaining a temporary balance between humans and nature. The recognition by the local-level government of the communities’ existence and their experiences in preserving the forest helped avoid any potential relocation. Unfortunately, a partial understanding of environmental issues from the national government and no comprehensive legal regulations for the recognition and protection of indigenous people, made them vulnerable to land conversion for mining and palm oil plantations exploitation over the last decade. A qualitative case-study methodology was chosen to analyze the case. The data was collected from in-depth interviews with the village elder and official government documents. The data from NGOs reports, journal articles, and reliable news media are being added as the triangulation to meet the validity and reliability of the research. This article contributes to sustainable development studies, where ecocentrism has become one of the developed theoretical frameworks addressing climate change issues, but still predominantly focuses on ecological sustainability, ecosystem restoration, and responsible management. This empirical case enriches the discourse on the strategic role of the indigenous community as a preventive measure in countering environmental destruction from the Global South perspective.