The traditional ‘dahas’ or managed forestry practice in West Kalimantan, Indonesia is helping to preserve the forest.

In an article on Mongabay.com, Amid, a native Dayak explains the practice.

"Before, this area was a rice field. After the grain was harvested, we opened new land for rice, and planted the old field with fruit, rubber, and timber tree species. And this is the result: the forest remains intact."

Amid and other farmers in the region don’t abandon fields after their nutrients are diminished, they replant them with a range of fruit and timber species. After 5 to 10 years the trees are cut and the area is again planted with rice.

The trees that are planted, and others that grow naturally and are cultivated, provide the farmers with food and timber as well as replenishing the soil for future crops.

This sustainable practice established hundreds of years ago ensures the forest is carefully managed to “keep the systems in balance,” says the article.

Read the full story: Traditional farming technique preserves soil, forest in Kalimantan