The Borneo Project

A CRITICAL MOMENTTO PROTECT RAINFORESTS AND RIVERS

ABOUT BORNEO

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTFOR INDIGENOUS CAMPAIGNS

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ELEVATING GRASSROOTS VOICES

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HUMAN RIGHTSFOR FOREST PROTECTORS

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Latest News

02 Apr

Sarawak’s ‘Protected Forests’ – What Are They Really Protecting?

For Indigenous communities, the arbitrary label of “Protected Forest” is not a guarantee of conservation, but rather a tool of exclusion. I remember my…

18 Mar

Malaysia: New Business Plan Should Be Enforceable

Ensure Rights Protections for Indigenous Peoples (Miri) – Malaysia should move swiftly to strengthen its proposed National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights by ensuring that…

18 Mar

Reforestation as destruction in Sarawak

This article was originally published at Green Agenda Australia In Sarawak, eucalyptus plantations are replacing biodiverse forests under the guise of “reforestation”. Indigenous communities…

25 Feb

Support for Marudi Indigenous communities affected by forest carbon project

This joint statement was originally published by Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and SAVE Rivers. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and SAVE Rivers, express their solidarity with…

Behind the Scenes

borneoproject

Helping #Borneo's #rainforest communities protect their lands, livelihoods, and cultures for generations to come. #StopTheChop

Malaysia's Zero Draft National Action Plan on Busi

Malaysia's Zero Draft National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights needs to have teeth to be meaningful on the ground. ⠀
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“We have a long history of voluntary corporate commitments providing no real protections to environmental and Indigenous rights defenders or their territories,” said Celine Lim, manager of SAVE Rivers. “We need strong laws, we need tribunals to enforce those laws, and we need real penalties for companies when they violate those laws.” ⠀
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Head to our website to read our joint press release with @saveriversofficial and @humanrightswatch

Read our latest article explaining how eucalyptus

Read our latest article explaining how eucalyptus and acacia plantations are replacing biodiverse forests in Sarawak under the guise of “reforestation”.

"As I drive through endless rows of eucalyptus, I am filled with a sense of dread. These trees tap water from the ground like they’ve never heard of drought and have combustible oil filled leaves. Equatorial Sarawak rarely has a daily maximum temperature below scorching, and while its abundant tropical moisture protects its forests from the catastrophic fires we see in Australia or California, I can’t help but wonder: What kind of future does eucalyptus monoculture bring to this environment? And at what cost?"

Comment 'plantations' below and we will DM the link to the full article.

Pictured: baby eucalyptus trees growing where thriving forests once stood in the Lana plantation, Sarawak.

🚨 Indigenous Communities Reject Marudi Carbon P

🚨 Indigenous Communities Reject Marudi Carbon Project 🚨

We stand in solidarity with Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and SAVE Rivers as they support the Indigenous communities of Logan Entasan, Lobang Kompeni, and Sungai Brit in rejecting the Marudi Forest Conservation and Restoration Project.

This carbon offset project threatens Indigenous land rights and fails to protect forests—instead, it allows big polluters to continue business as usual while violating communities’ Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

🌿 Carbon markets are not a climate solution. Protecting Indigenous land is.

Read the joint statement on our website!

🚨 Indigenous Communities Reject Marudi Carbon P

🚨 Indigenous Communities Reject Marudi Carbon Project 🚨

We stand in solidarity with Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and SAVE Rivers as they support the Indigenous communities of Logan Entasan, Lobang Kompeni, and Sungai Brit in rejecting the Marudi Forest Conservation and Restoration Project.

This carbon offset project threatens Indigenous land rights and fails to protect forests—instead, it allows big polluters to continue business as usual while violating communities’ Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

🌿 Carbon markets are not a climate solution. Protecting Indigenous land is.

Read the joint statement on our website!

Victory for Indigenous Communities in Sarawak! 🎉🌿

After years of resistance, Indigenous communities in Baram, Sarawak, are celebrating as Samling withdraws several of its logging concessions from the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS). This victory highlights the power of community action against encroachment on Indigenous lands.

Comment “Goodbye Samling” below and we will DM you the full story 😉

🌱 Now it’s time to return Indigenous lands to Indigenous hands!

#IndigenousRights #Sarawak #LandBack #StopDeforestation #ForestJustice #Borneo

ICYMI: read our latest article about why community

ICYMI: read our latest article about why community mapping is so important in Sarawak.

Pictured here are community members from Long Pakan, using the incredible Penan community maps developed by our project partners at @brunomanserfonds

When we visited, the folks at Long Pakan pulled out their maps to show us where the logging company had destroyed a salt lick, and where trees had been tagged for logging. Community maps are an incredible advocacy tool, helping Indigenous communities protect their lands against encroachment. These maps are not merely geographic records; they are powerful evidence that visually ties land, culture, and identity together, making a compelling case for protection.

Read our latest FAQ: Why Community Mapping Matters

Read our latest FAQ: Why Community Mapping Matters in Sarawak⠀
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"The challenges faced by Indigenous communities in Sarawak are monumental. Industrial logging, palm oil plantations and urban development have degraded nearly 90% of Sarawak’s primary forests. Hydroelectric dam projects have displaced many communities, severing their connection to the land. A lack of written documentation of land use and culture has long been exploited by corporations and government bodies to deny Indigenous land claims. This gap in physical evidence remains one of the primary obstacles to achieving recognition of customary land rights." ⠀
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Read the full story by commenting "mapping" below. ⠀

🗺️ Maps as Tools for Justice 🌱 Read our l

🗺️ Maps as Tools for Justice 🌱

Read our latest FAQ about why community mapping is so important in Sarawak, or comment “maps” below and we will send you the link to the full article.

For most of us, maps are just part of daily life — helping us navigate from Point A to Point B. But for Indigenous communities fighting to protect their land, maps hold a different kind of power.

But for Indigenous communities with tenuous land rights, maps hold a very different kind of power. Instead of charting a path to somewhere new, these maps are tools for staying put – anchoring communities to their ancestral lands and protecting what they treasure most: their culture, livelihoods, and the deep connection to their environment. Community maps become shields against outsiders eager to exploit forests, rivers, and resources. They tell a story of belonging, resilience, and stewardship. Through community mapping, Indigenous peoples reclaim their narratives and reshape how their lands are understood by others.

#IndigenousRights #LandJustice #CommunityMapping

Hey there, Bay Area friends! 🌏✨ Join us this

Hey there, Bay Area friends! 🌏✨

Join us this weekend for "Borneo Dreams: Elegiac Visions"—a breathtaking gallery exhibit featuring ethereal photos of Iban villages from 1983 by Terry Thompson.

📅 When: Saturday, Feb. 1 | 4–6 PM (short talk at 5PM)

📍 Where: SHOH Gallery, Berkeley

Don’t miss this rare glimpse into Sarawak’s culture and beauty. See you there! 💫 RSVP at the link in our bio.

#BorneoDreams #IndigenousCulture #PhotographyExhibit #BerkeleyEvents

🎥 Watch Waters of Resilience Part 2: Through

🎥 Watch Waters of Resilience Part 2:

Through continued exchanges between our Sarawak partners and tribes in California, we’re strengthening international solidarity and reinforcing community-led advocacy. Together with SAVE Rivers and other allies, we’re committed to defending these sacred forests and rivers, ensuring the voices of Indigenous communities are at the forefront of every decision.

Film produced by Nub Marketing Agency @nubagency
Directed and shot by Francisco Puentes @puentesfran
Produced by The Borneo Project
Edited by Gabriela Azopardo @gabyazopardo @epic_wildcalifornia

Special thanks to the Ancestral Guard, Yurok Tribe, and The Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)

In April last year, we joined the Yurok Tribe and

In April last year, we joined the Yurok Tribe and @epic_wildcalifornia on California’s Klamath River for a once-in-a-lifetime exchange on dam removal.

Indigenous tribes on the Klamath River campaigned for dam removal for decades, and in 2024 celebrated the removal of four dams along the river - the largest river restoration in U.S. history. Our partner Celine Lim from @saveriversofficial joined us to witness the impact of their efforts and strategize about ways to increase international Indigenous solidarity on river protection.

This visit hit close to the heart of our work in Sarawak, where we face yet another dam-related challenge. Near the Gunung Mulu National Park in the Tutoh-Apoh region, state-owned Sarawak Energy has proposed a series of cascading dams. These dams could seriously threaten the fragile ecosystem of this critical World Heritage Site. With SAVE Rivers, we’re closely monitoring these plans and supporting community petitions against the dam project. Through our continued exchanges with tribes in California, we’re strengthening international solidarity and reinforcing community-led advocacy. Together with SAVE Rivers and other allies, we’re committed to defending these sacred waters, from the Klamath to the Tutoh, and ensuring the voices of Indigenous communities are at the forefront of every decision.

Film produced by Nub Marketing Agency @nubagency
Directed and shot by Francisco Puentes @puentesfran
Produced by The Borneo Project
Edited by Gabriela Azopardo @gabyazopardo

Special thanks to the Ancestral Guard, Yurok Tribe, and The Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)

DEFORESTATION ALERT 🔔 Over the last year, def

DEFORESTATION ALERT 🔔

Over the last year, deforestation for palm oil production in the Ulu Belaga area has ramped up rapidly, with significant losses recorded on Global Forest Watch every month of the year. According to GFW, there were 40,302 deforestation alerts reported in the area of concern between 4th of September 2023 and 30th of December 2024, with nearly 500 hectares of forest lost.

While some of the loss seen on the satellite images is old oil palm being cleared, drone footage from the ground confirms that native forests are being indiscriminately logged. This is new clearing of secondary forests for oil palm.

The company Sin Heng Chan (Malaya) Berhad, is working on the customary land of Indigenous Kenyah and Penan villages along the Urun river. The Long Urun community is opposed to the clearing of their temuda (native customary forest) and has launched a petition and human blockade to stop logging activities. This is a last resort after official complaints were stymied by internal community conflict and community members felt threatened for speaking out to save their forests. The company has denied any wrongdoing.

What you can do to help:

Share the article from our field visit in our bio.
Sign the petition supporting the Long Urun community: https://bit.ly/4h3Xq6U

As threats to Sarawak’s lands and peoples intens

As threats to Sarawak’s lands and peoples intensify, so does our commitment to coalition building. This year, we strengthened our alliances with local partners, working hand in hand to protect Borneo’s forests and communities.

💪 We also grew our team! Meet Jessica, whose on-the-ground experience in Sarawak is supercharging our outreach and advocacy efforts. With a stronger coalition and expanded capacity, we’re prepared to tackle new challenges and amplify our impact for Indigenous rights, environmental protections, and sustainable development.

🚀 But we can’t do it without you. We're aiming to raise $100,000 to power this vital work into 2025—and thanks to our board’s matching campaign, every dollar you donate will go TWICE as far!

✨ Together, we can:
🌳 Strengthen communities facing deforestation
✊ Challenge exploitative industries
🌍 Protect ecosystems vital to our planet’s health

Your support fuels real action. Let’s keep building a just, forest-protected Sarawak.

➡️ Donate today at our website

It’s been a big year for The Borneo Project! Fro

It’s been a big year for The Borneo Project! From challenging corporate giants to strengthening global alliances, we’ve been making waves in the fight to protect Sarawak’s forests.

💚 Right now, every dollar donated is matched up to $50,000 by our board. Donate today to DOUBLE your impact. 🌿

Find all the ways to donate at: borneoproject.org/ways-to-give #LinkInBio

Small things can make a big difference! In case yo

Small things can make a big difference! In case you missed it, every donation to our end of year appeal will be doubled — up to $50,000! ✨ No contribution is too small, and every bit counts. ⠀
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💚 Head to the link in our bio to find all the different ways to give 💚

Our campaigning brought us closer to home this yea

Our campaigning brought us closer to home this year, when we joined the Yurok Tribe and @epic_wildcalifornia on California’s Klamath River for a once-in-a-lifetime exchange on dam removal. Indigenous tribes on the Klamath River campaigned for dam removal for decades, and this year celebrated the removal of four dams along the river – the largest river restoration in U.S. history. Our partner Celine Lim @saveriversoffical joined us to witness the impact of their efforts and strategize about ways to increase international Indigenous solidarity on river protection efforts.⠀
⠀
This visit hit close to the heart of our work in Sarawak, where we face yet another dam-related challenge. Near the Gunung Mulu National Park in the Tutoh-Apoh region, state-owned Sarawak Energy has proposed a series of cascading dams. These dams could seriously threaten the fragile ecosystem of this critical World Heritage Site. With SAVE Rivers, we’re closely monitoring these plans and supporting community petitions against the dam project. ⠀
⠀
💚 This critical work needs your support! Right now, every dollar donated is matched up to $50,000 by our board. Donate today to DOUBLE your impact. 🌿⠀
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Find all the ways to donate at #LinkInBio

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