Namblong tribe's five most popular plants, their cultural significance, and uses

by Naomi Waisimon, Mitra BUMMA Papua Project Manager

“Although they comprise less than 5% of the world population, Indigenous peoples protect 80% of the Earth’s biodiversity.” - WWF

It's one of the most cited statistics you may have come across acknowledging the critical role Indigenous Peoples play in responding to the climate crisis. Land protected by Indigenous Peoples has been proven to be more effective than western “fortress” conservation methods. But what does Indigenous stewardship look like in practice? 

Earlier this year, we published a story about the “Evolution of Indigenous Land Management,” showcasing the ways in which the Namblong tribe manages their territory. The piece broke down various land use designations and the impact of economic pressures that result in selling land to logging and palm oil companies that drive deforestation. This month, we’re highlighting the Namblong tribe’s five most popular plants and their uses. 

We share real life stories from the deepest corners of the world's third largest rainforests to demystify frequently cited climate statistics and build an understanding of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).