142 perception to the tribe. The research was trying to express the tribe’s perception in
economic terms. The research results have convinced the tribe that their management is not a matter of daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly harvest yields. The Benuaq Dayak
believe that their sustainable management is in line with the cultural, biodiversity sensitivity and the concern over the resources for their future generation. This could all
be calculated into economic terms. Once the Benuaq Dayak’s total economic value is presented to the world, the tribe
will see a different attitude from the outside. Hopefully, the government will give more support and opportunities to the tribe in the local and national development processes.
6.1.2 Implications for Private Companies
When considering the total economic value, the Benuaq Dayak may have the same role and opportunities as agricultural plantations and timber concessions in the
future. The agricultural plantation strategic option could be to include the Benuaq Dayak in management as a source of local labor and a supplier of some needed items, such as
food and raw materials for the plantation factory. The agricultural plantation could also use the tribe as part of its advertisement programs at the national and international levels.
Another option is to perceive the Benuaq Dayak management as another plantation company for such products as rubber and rattan. Timber concessions may perceive the
Benuaq Dayak as a a potential partner in forest management that could include joint use of the resources where the tribe resides. There may be opportunities for timber
concessions to work together with the tribe as partners in sustainable resource conservation.
143
6.1.3 Implications for the Government
In the past, the government regarded the indigenous people, including the Benuaq Dayak, as a threat to national unity because of their diverse and relatively independent
forms of traditional governance. The government assumed that they would restrain or prevent economic and political growth, particularly those related to the natural resource
management. As a result, the tribes have little formal recognition in resource allocation, management, and regulation or taxation of their natural resource management Colfer and
Resosudarmo, 2002. The estimated total economic value for the Benuaq Dayak hopefully will change the government’s perception. In the future, the government will no
longer identify the indigenous people as destroyers of national forest resources and trespassers on state or concession land. Further, the government will understand that the
shifting and pioneer agriculture done by the indigenous people is not negatively affecting the forests. When it comes to granting the right to extract the timber from the forest areas
for third parties, the government will start recognizing the tribes’ rights to manage the area as well.
6.2 References
