Whenever I hear the news about human–tiger conflict, I can’t understand why people choose to live so close to tigers. If I were them, I would move away and live far from the forest. But then I realize it’s not that simple after learning the reasons.
To outsiders, living near tiger habitat may look dangerous. But for some communities in Sumatra, the forest's edge is not only their home but also their source of livelihood. The land is fertile for farming, and farms are often inherited from one generation to the next. Leaving would mean losing both land and heritage.
The forest is also a source of daily needs, such as fruits, honey, firewood, timber, rubber, wild animals, and others. So, tigers are part of this reality.
In the past, these traditional linkages were not harmful. People respected the tiger's existence. The ancestors of Sumatra regarded the tiger as Wong Tuo, a figure that must be respected. This attitude gave rise to a tradition and culture that preserved the tiger's presence in the jungle.
Across Sumatra, people have different names for the tiger, reflecting the deep cultural respect for this animal. In South Sumatra, the tiger is called 'Nenek' or 'Puyang'. In North Sumatra, it is known as 'Ompung'. In West Sumatra, the Tiger is referred to as 'Datuk' or 'Inyiak'. Meanwhile in Kerinci, the tiger is called 'Hangtuo'.
But today, as the population has grown, people have begun to exploit more of the forest's natural resources. Forest conversion to farmland has also occured. This now endangers the forest's sustainability, disrupts the tiger's habitat, Â and also causes conflict between humans and tigers.
Deforestation caused by palm oil plantations, illegal logging, mining, and forest fires makes the situation worse. A single tiger actually needs an area of about 6,000 hectares to roam. When the forest shrinks and food becomes scarce, tigers may enter villages and prey on people's livestock. As a result, villagers often see them as enemies, which leads to human–tiger conflicts.
Some villagers respond by poisoning or trapping tigers with snares, while tigers sometimes attack people working in their fields. Tragically, both humans and tigers are often injured or killed, showing the serious consequences of human–tiger conflict.
Can humans and tigers truly live together in harmony?Â
The Dusun Sungai Palas community in Jambi proves that it is possible.
For hundreds of years, this village has existed right next to Berbak-Sembilang National Park. Tigers roam the jungle, villagers live in the village, and both respect each other's space. People do not threaten the tigers, and the tigers do not threaten the people.
