Mongabay · Climate & nature

Indigenous Activist Kynan Tegar on Indonesian Fires, Rights, and Identity

Kynan Tegar discusses intentional fires in Kalimantan, linked to corporate concessions and peatland drainage, causing a water crisis. She highlights the struggles of Indigenous communities and her film 'Earth Defender,' which portrays the dangers faced by land defenders.

Fires in Kalimantan have burned 48,000 hectares, attributed to corporate concessions for logging and palm oil since the 1970s. Over 1 million hectares of peatland have been drained, worsening water scarcity for communities, exacerbated by climate change and El Niño.

Tegar's film 'Earth Defender' depicts the fight to protect land, noting that an Earth defender dies every 48 hours. It illustrates real dangers, like confronting excavators.

As a transgender woman, Tegar questions her advocacy freedom following Indonesia's designation of LGBTQ+ culture as a threat, noting a lack of solidarity between Indigenous and queer movements.

The delayed Indigenous Peoples Bill, meant to grant customary land rights, has stalled for 16 years. Tegar believes it won't fully address historical inequalities, requiring more than just legal solutions.

Tegar envisions a future for Indigenous youth focused on existence, citing accessibility issues in information and transport as major obstacles. Indigenous peoples are noted as effective land stewards.

Sungai Utik, Tegar's community of 300, gained land rights for 9,480 hectares in 2020 after generations of struggle. They now aim to generate income sustainably from their forest.

Tegar is part of 'A Day on Earth,' a 2027 film by 50 Indigenous filmmakers showcasing the planet's significance amid the climate crisis.

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