Loir Botor Dingit

Coming from the Bentian people, Loir Botor Dingit was a rattan farmer. The rattan farming techniques involves conserving forest biodiversity. In July 1996, Loir was selected to be the Paramount chief by the Bentian Tribal Council.“Loir Botor Dingit.” Goldman Environmental Prize, 18 Mar. 2022, www.goldmanprize.org/recipient/loir-botor-dingit/.

Chief Loir opposed tycoons such as Mohammad “Bob” Hassan, who was Indonesia’s leading tycoon at the time. While he gained a lot of recognition from the government and international entities, he was being opposed due to the environmental footprint he was leaving.“A Timber Baron Exposed. - Free Online Library.” Thefreelibrary.com, 2015, www.thefreelibrary.com/A+timber+baron+exposed.-a020378997.  The article talks about the destructive practices and methods on forests from Mohammad “Bob” Hassan. However, Loir Botor Dingit did not stand for this.“A Timber Baron Exposed. - Free Online Library.” Thefreelibrary.com, 2015, www.thefreelibrary.com/A+timber+baron+exposed.-a020378997.   In this source, Chief Loir opposes Hassan because he wanted to protect forests and uphold customary rights. Loir’s efforts directly challenged the exploitation Hassan benefitted from.“A Timber Baron Exposed. - Free Online Library.” Thefreelibrary.com, 2015, www.thefreelibrary.com/A+timber+baron+exposed.-a020378997.  

Since timber corporations have been terrorizing the lands in which Loir had been cultivating, he had begun to bring light to the situation at hand at an international level. Loir was one of the first leaders to unite the Bentian people with other Dayak tribes, who had been historically at war over ancestral lands.“Loir Botor Dingit.” Goldman Environmental Prize, 18 Mar. 2022, www.goldmanprize.org/recipient/loir-botor-dingit/. On November 6th, 1998, Chief Loir Botor Dingit of the Bentian people was accused of forgery in a landmark case that involved indigenous rights and environmental protection. Chief Loir Botor Dingit stood heavily against deforestation by opposing the clearcutting of Bentian forests by PT. Kalhold Utama.“Indonesian Environmental Hero Acquitted in Landmark Case.” Environmental Defense Fund, 6 Nov. 1998, www.edf.org/media/indonesian-environmental-hero-acquitted-landmark-case. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025. However, PT. Kalhold Utama was a company linked to many political figures. In 1993, Chief Loir had faced intimidation and legal challenges after reporting Pt. Kalhold Utama’s destructions of forests.“Indonesian Environmental Hero Acquitted in Landmark Case.” Environmental Defense Fund, 6 Nov. 1998, www.edf.org/media/indonesian-environmental-hero-acquitted-landmark-case. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

As a result of this newfound peace, Dingit and the Bentian people began petitioning for their forested territories. Although Loir was charged of forgery for using dead people’s names, their efforts were noticed and eventually some of their lands were given back.“Loir Botor Dingit.” Goldman Environmental Prize, 18 Mar. 2022, www.goldmanprize.org/recipient/loir-botor-dingit/. In 1998, the court’s ruling not only got rid of Chief Loir’s charges, but also recognized the existence of indigenous people in Indonesia and their territorial rights. As a result, the rights of indigenous land rights and environmental conservation were starting to become a thing in Indonesia.“Indonesian Environmental Hero Acquitted in Landmark Case.” Environmental Defense Fund, 6 Nov. 1998, www.edf.org/media/indonesian-environmental-hero-acquitted-landmark-case. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

"Whose Resources? Whose Common Good?" is a book regarding environmental justice and indigenous land rights in Indonesia. Loir Botor Dingit has a section dedicated just for him in this book. In this book, Loir Botor Dingit is highlighted as a powerful example of someone who demonstrated and led indigenous resistance and leadership.Studi, Lembaga, and Advokasi Masyarakat. Whose Resources? Whose Common Good? Center for International Environment Law (CIEL) in Collaboration with HuMa Perkumpulan Untuk Pembaruan Hukum Berbasis Masyarakat Dan Ekologis (Association for Community and Ecologically-Based Law Reform) towards a New Paradigm of Environmental Justice and the National Interest in Indonesia. 2002, www.cifor-icraf.org/publications/sea/Publications/files/book/BK0054-04.pdf.   His efforts to lead the Bentian people with Dayak groups are talked about when he fought against the logging companies.Studi, Lembaga, and Advokasi Masyarakat. Whose Resources? Whose Common Good? Center for International Environment Law (CIEL) in Collaboration with HuMa Perkumpulan Untuk Pembaruan Hukum Berbasis Masyarakat Dan Ekologis (Association for Community and Ecologically-Based Law Reform) towards a New Paradigm of Environmental Justice and the National Interest in Indonesia. 2002, www.cifor-icraf.org/publications/sea/Publications/files/book/BK0054-04.pdf.   Chief Loir’s advocacy for customary land rights, his role in drawing national and international attention to indigenous environmental struggles are talked about. Loir Botor Dingit’s efforts demonstrate the tensions between state control and community-based property rights.Studi, Lembaga, and Advokasi Masyarakat. Whose Resources? Whose Common Good? Center for International Environment Law (CIEL) in Collaboration with HuMa Perkumpulan Untuk Pembaruan Hukum Berbasis Masyarakat Dan Ekologis (Association for Community and Ecologically-Based Law Reform) towards a New Paradigm of Environmental Justice and the National Interest in Indonesia. 2002, www.cifor-icraf.org/publications/sea/Publications/files/book/BK0054-04.pdf.  

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Category:Indonesian environmentalists

Category:Tribal chiefs

Category:Indonesian farmers

Category:2005 deaths

Category:Year of birth missing

Category:Goldman Environmental Prize awardees

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