Sound guardians
Indonesia’s decision to relocate its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara in East Kalimantan reflects a broader tension between urban development and environmental preservation. The documentary Sound guardians underscores how this shift endangers not just biodiversity but also the cultural and ancestral knowledge embedded in the rainforest’s acoustic landscape, raising urgent questions about what is sacrificed in the name of progress.
Who is Abidin, and why is his perspective central to the documentary?
Abidin is a Balik elder from East Kalimantan who relies on the rainforest’s soundscape as a navigational and cultural guide. His collaboration with bioacoustic researchers highlights how indigenous knowledge and ecological awareness are intertwined, making his experience a focal point for understanding the stakes of urban expansion on local ecosystems and traditions.
What is the purpose of the audio recordings collected by the research team?
The team, including Wendy Erb from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, aims to document the rainforest’s acoustic environment before it is altered by construction and urbanization. These recordings serve as a permanent archive, preserving both the biodiversity’s soundscapes and the ancestral knowledge associated with them for future generations.
How does the construction of Nusantara threaten the existing ecosystem?
The rapid development of Nusantara is encroaching on the rainforest, leading to the displacement of wildlife and the degradation of the natural soundscape. Researchers suspect that the noise pollution from construction and city life is already driving away species, disrupting the delicate balance of the ecosystem Abidin depends on.
What broader themes does the film connect to beyond environmental concerns?
The documentary links environmental degradation to the erosion of cultural identity, suggesting that the loss of soundscapes is not merely ecological but also a loss of ancestral wisdom and human connection to place. It frames the issue as a philosophical one, questioning how modernity redefines our relationship with nature.
Ce que ça pourrait changer
The relocation of Indonesia’s capital could set a precedent for how nations balance urban growth with ecological and cultural preservation. If unchecked, such projects risk normalizing the sacrifice of indigenous knowledge and biodiversity in the name of progress, potentially leading to irreversible losses. Conversely, the film’s focus on bioacoustic research may inspire new approaches to conservation that prioritize listening to and learning from nature rather than exploiting it.
