Pari Island, October 31, 2024 – Amid the looming threat of eviction by PT. Bumi Pari Asri, the women of Pari Island are not standing idly by. Instead, they have chosen gardening as a tool of resistance to defend their rights to land that has been an integral part of their lives for generations. The Gardening Workshop with the Women of Pari Island, initiated by Enter Nusantara, serves as tangible proof that the fight against injustice can be waged through empowerment and environmental preservation.
Green Resistance in Pari Island: Gardening as a Symbol of Justice and Sustainability
Pari Island, part of Jakarta’s Thousand Islands, faces a significant threat from commercial development projects led by PT. Bumi Pari Asri. These eviction plans not only risk displacing the local community but also erode cultural identity and the intrinsic connection between the people and nature. The women of Pari Island, often the most vulnerable group in such situations, have taken concrete steps by turning agriculture into a symbol of resistance.
For these women, gardening is more than just an economic activity–it is a weaponless form of defiance that demonstrates their self-reliance and commitment to sustaining traditional ways of life. The workshop marks a crucial effort to enhance their capacity to independently and productively manage their land.
But a critical question arises: Why should a community that has lived on Pari Island for decades face such threats? Commercial projects are often justified in the name of “development” or “progress,” but who truly benefits? The looming eviction on Pari Island reflects a pattern of structural injustice that frequently sacrifices indigenous and local communities for the economic interests of a few.
This workshop forms part of a broader effort to challenge these dominant narratives. By equipping the women of Pari Island with the new skills, Enter Nusantara contributes to strengthening the local community’s position in navigating unfair power dynamics.
The workshop focused on teaching participants eco-friendly gardening techniques to reduce dependency on chemical inputs and promote more sustainable farming practices. Key sessions included making organic fertilizers from natural materials as an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative and using cover crops to protect soil moisture and temperature, ensuring optimal conditions for plant growth.
Beyond technical skills, the workshop served as a platform for discussions on building solidarity and strategizing community resistance.
The outcomes of the workshop demonstrated tangible impacts for the women of Pari Island. They now have the ability to produce their own organic fertilizers, a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to expensive chemical fertilizers. This newfound knowledge significantly reduces their reliance on harmful chemicals. Additionally, participants learned the importance of simple techniques like using cover crops, which enhance agricultural productivity by managing soil temperature and moisture. The workshop also bolstered the women’s independence, strengthening their ability to resist eviction threats and defend their rights to the land that is central to their livelihoods.
Challenges remain, however. Are these new skills enough to counter pressure from large corporations? How can the government and policymakers provide better support for local communities? These questions remain unanswered and serve as a call for continued advocacy.
The workshop offered several key lessons, emphasizing the importance of sustainable natural resource management. Such Practices not only benefit ecosystems but also serve as powerful tools for social resistance. Additionally, the pivotal role of women in preserving land and local culture was evident and deserves greater recognition and support. The workshop also highlighted the need to complement empowerment efforts with broader advocacy to challenge policies that harm marginalized communities and ensure their voices are heard in decision-making processes.
The Gardening workshop with the women of Pari Island represents a small step with a significant impact. It is not just about teaching agricultural techniques but also about fostering collective awareness of the importance of defending land rights and identity. Pari Island stands as a symbol of grassroots resistance against structural injustice. With strengthened solidarity and skills, the people of Pari Island continue to demonstrate that the fight for justice and sustainability starts from the ground up.
