Women of KTH Kepuh: defenders of the wild forest

In the remote village of Panglungan, East Java, a group of determined women is leading the charge to protect and restore their forest. Under the banner of KTH Kepuh, a women-led agroforestry cooperative, they have been working for over two decades to rehabilitate the land, safeguard water sources, and create sustainable livelihoods.

Over the past five years, our local partner ECOTON has worked closely with them as part of the Indonesian-Dutch AKSI Brantas partnership, providing training in water quality monitoring, coaching in environmental advocacy, and supporting community-driven solutions.

KTH Kepuh’s story begins in 1999 when local villagers, alarmed by deforestation and declining water supplies, took action. They planted trees, restored water springs, and formed forest patrols to prevent illegal logging. Over time, they introduced eco-tourism programs to showcase the biodiversity of their forest and generate additional income.

Women Leading the Charge

Today, the movement is spearheaded by women like Anti and Nita, who balance farming with forest conservation. Their dedication, however, does not come without risks. In July 2023, Anti documented 17 illegally felled trees, one of which damaged her coffee plantation. Despite threats, she reported the incident, triggering a government meeting and a revised forest management plan. Yet, the battle against deforestation continues.

Strengthening Forest-Based Livelihoods

The women of KTH Kepuh not only protect the forest but also derive their livelihoods from it. They sell products like honey, cloves, and herbal drinks. When excluded from village development plans, they took matters into their own hands—using their community’s cooperative spirit (gotong royong) to build their own forest product education store. This initiative has already attracted visitors from local universities, inspiring them to enhance their product packaging and create new items such as kemiri chili sauce. The growing interest in their store has also drawn more people to their ecotourism experiences, further strengthening their conservation efforts.

A Future Built on Conservation

Today, Anti serves as the spokesperson for KTH Kepuh, determined to strengthen their advocacy and push for stronger conservation policies. “The forest gives us everything,” she says. “If we take care of it today, it will take care of us and future generations.” By standing up against illegal loggers, creating sustainable businesses, and educating others, the women of KTH Kepuh prove that real change begins with the community. Their fight continues, and so does their commitment to protecting their forest.

The story of KTH Kepuh is a testament to the power of grassroots action and women’s leadership in conservation.

Find more inspiring stories about women taking action along the Brantas river here