The sun was leaning towards the west when we were done distributing and loading logistics and personal belongings into three long, narrow boats, each powered by a 25 PK engine. These boats, designed specifically for shallow, winding river travel, could comfortably carry several people and their equipment.

Each boat's slender shape and flat bottom were subtly designed for stability and speed on the river. To ensure passenger comfort and maintain the boat's performance, we carefully distributed the weight of supplies and people evenly on board.

One by one, we unmoored from the Kereng Bangkirai dock in Palangka Raya. Each boat headed south. “The quickest would be two hours,” said Irwan Matsyah, Bengo Project Coordinator from WWF Indonesia.

That afternoon, a team consisting of Sebangau National Park, Central Kalimantan Forestry Agency as the manager of Isin Mulang Sebangau Berkah Community Forest Park, WWF Indonesia, Lembaga Pendidikan dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (literally can be translated as “Community Empowerment and Education Institution”) or eLPaM, and Tropical Forest and Land Conservation (TFLC), headed for the national park’s Mangkok Resort Office.

Apart from the said activity in Sebangau on May 2nd, a similar activity was organised on June 18th for the Katingan River. Both were efforts to strengthened collaboration between the government, communities, and NGOs to alert of forest fires.

The sun was almost setting when we moored at the resort office. Some part of the building complex was managed collaboratively with Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) and would be used as an activity centre and accommodation for the team. When we arrived, some colleagues and fishermen were already there. After bathing and dinner, the team assembled for a technical meeting on tomorrow’s activity, May 2, 2026, to strengthen collaboration between the government and the community group. “Kapakat Nelayan Danum Babilem’s involvement is key for monitoring environmental degradation and fire alerts,” Irwan explained.

To provide context, Kapakat Nelayan Danum Babilem is a collective of sixteen fishermen groups along the Sebangau River. Danum Babilem, from Dayak Ngaju, means “black water,” describing Sebangau’s humic acid-rich colour, a result of the sprawling peatlands on both riverbanks.

Furthermore, the river's geographical setting is significant. The southern side of the river was part of the Sebangau National Park, while the opposite side was Isin Mulang Sebangau Berkah Community Forest Park, making Sebangau strategically important for environmental protection and sustainable management.

Considering these strategic locations, recent data highlight the challenges they face. Data series presented in Forest and Land Fires Governance Assessment in Sebangau-Katingan and Sebangau-Kahayan Peatland Hydrology Entities (Palangka Raya University’s Research Centre on Peatland Innovation, Technology and Knowledge Development and WWF Indonesia’s Central Kalimantan Program, 2024) stated that both areas are ‘prone to forest and land fires’ and are considered ‘high risk.’

This high-risk status is further supported by specific studies. For example, a different study stated that around 1,235,249 hectares of peatland in Central Kalimantan have a ‘high risk status’ in the context of forest and land fires (Pantau Gambut, 2023). Another data stated in 2023 alone, an area of 165,896 hectares was lost to fire in Central Kalimantan (SIPONGI, 2023).

From 1980 to 2007, SSI was managed by 13 companies that held Forest Utilisation Rights licenses, while illegal loggers subsequently took over, building canals to facilitate the transport of logs along smaller rivers connected by Sebangau. This ‘no man’s land’ period lasted until 2004, when one side of the river was designated as a 568,700-hectare national park through the Minister of Forestry’s Decree SK. 423/Menhut-II/2004.

Canals made by illegal loggers eventually dried the peatland in Sebangau, including within SSI, and then a massive fire broke out across Central Kalimantan in 2006.

In 2005, Sebangau National Park, together with communities and WWF Indonesia, built a pilot dam to raise the water surface level and eventually rewet the surrounding dry area. By 2011, 431 dams had been constructed, including in the smaller rivers of Sebangau, such as Bakung, Rasah, and Bangah, as well as the SSI area.

It was almost 10 am the next morning when more than thirty members of Danum Babilem sat neatly along the corridor all the way to the gazebo in the residential area of the BSOF-managed building.

The meeting was opened by First Inspector Djunedie, the head of Sebangau Kuala Precinct, Dedi Kariyanson from the Central Kalimantan’s Forestry Agency, and WWF Indonesia’s Sebangau-Katingan Program Manager.

In his opening remark, Dedi says, “We hope that we can all support every activity to conserve nature while increasing the community’s welfare. Sebangau is well preserved, and many people are interested in coming here.” Then he emphasises, “It is our collective duty to protect the environment, our nature. One day we will reap the significant benefits.”

“How Sebangau, with the existence of the Community Forest Park and the National Park, can generate benefits for the communities,” hoped Okta Simon, then continued, “I hope our discussion today may emphasise that government programs are in alignment with the communities’ needs, on how the fishermen’s involvement, including the do’s and don’ts.”

After the opening session, facilitators from eLPaM, TFLC, and WWF Indonesia led a discussion. Participants were divided into smaller groups to address key questions: traditional fishing practices, customary fisheries rules in Sebangau, climate change impacts they have experienced, knowledge and skills needed for climate adaptation, and ways to enhance women's involvement in their villages' decision-making processes.

Within those smaller groups, one member was tasked with taking notes on all the collective answers. As the discussion progressed, the mood became more upbeat, with participants showing more vibrant expressions and gestures that indicated individual understanding and contributed to collective comprehension.

I used to cross from there to here; I am not afraid, nothing’s disturbing me. Even if they ascended by the boat, I was not afraid. “But somehow, now I am,” Iyang said rhetorically, then she continued, “What am I afraid of?” There are too many crocodiles now; big, small. There’s even one the size of a door!”

Separately, Nur Santi, a resident of Garung Village who is currently the secretary of Danum Babilem, confirmed Iyang’s opinion. “This past year, monkeys became worse, beavers became worse, monitor lizards became worse. Seemed that they don’t have enough food,” before adding, “the communities relied on fisheries, which are only available at particular times for us to get a decent catch. Now, the fish are becoming fewer, and it costs us more money compared to our catch.”

It is clear that Iyang and Nur Santi’s answers on climate change impacts reflect broader group agreement. As a result, increasing crocodile and other wildlife aggregation in fishermen’s areas has obviously affected their income and, more broadly, livelihoods, since they now have to fish farther—thereby raising operational costs and heightening potential conflicts with fishermen from other areas.

After lunch break, facilitators gathered all participants. The group’s representative will present next and will elaborate on it through discussion with all participants and facilitators.

Of the four groups, everyone agreed they had fewer catches lately and that they needed to deepen their knowledge and skills to maintain their primary livelihood while developing alternatives.

Through the discussion, Danum Babilem committed to monitor, alert, and inform if they see any fire in and around their village or in areas where they fish, and to report any suspicious activities that may damage the environment. This commitment was welcomed by representatives from the Central Kalimantan Forestry Agency, the Sebangau National Park, and Sebangau Kuala’s Police Chief, who attended the discussion.

Nearing the end of the discussion in Mangkok, First Inspector Djunedie reminded Danum Babilem not to take any risks and quickly contact the authorities if they see any fire or encounter suspicious activities. Then he added, “We hope together we can protect the nature and environment around here. If not us, then who else?”

Additionally, activity for the Katingan River on June 18th was held in Kamipang District, Katingan Regency, and involved community representatives from various forest management units, the Peatland Social Forestry Forum, and community firefighters from Jahankang, Karuing, and Baung Bango Villages.

They discussed with the governments of the three mentioned villages, the Central Kalimantan Forestry Agency’s Forest Management Unit XXX of Katingan Hilir, Katingan Regency’s Disaster Management Agency, representatives from the Kamipang District Government, the Petak Bandang Precinct, the Petak Bandang Military Command Office, and Sebangau National Park.

Vibrant discussion of heavy topics, intertwined with laughter, as the sun leans towards the west; time flies. One by one, members of Danum Babilem and the activity’s invitees once more stepped onto the boat that took them to Mangkok.

Facilitators and other organisers sent them away from the jetty with the conviction that Sebangau is indeed ready for the dry season, be it in Mangkok or Katingan. Collaboration is key in facing the dreaded forest fire that couldn’t care less about bureaucracy, agencies, ministries, or even borders.