The Covid-19 pandemic impact on indigenous people livelihoods in the peat swamp forest ecosystem in Central Kalimantan Indonesia

Global tropical peat swamp forest ecosystems mostly are found in Indonesia. However, these unique yet fragile ecosystems are subject to deforestation and degradation due to forest fires and land conversion. Peat swamp forests are well known for their ecosystem services related to global climate mitigation because they store carbon inside and are very vulnerable to forest fires. Another direct function is providing various needs for the indigenous people livelihoods who live close to and in the areas. This study was conducted qualitatively to assess the forest utilization and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the livelihoods of indigenous people. The study results show that the Dayak Ngaju Communities utilize the forest for timber, non-timbers, medicinal plants, foods, and religious culture. There is no significant impact of COVID-19 on forest product collection activities, but the pandemic impacts the marketing and sales of forest products. The marketing of fish and other non-timber forest products has been negatively affected due to decreased demand and limited transportation. On the contrary, the use, need, and demand for medicinal plants for the traditional medicine of COVID-19 is increasing significantly and improving local livelihoods.