The Paser Tribe in East Kalimantan possesses a rich ecological knowledge system that intricately links their linguistic practices to sustainable resource management; however, this knowledge is at risk due to modernization. This study aims to explore the ecological knowledge systems of the Paser Tribe, focusing on their traditional practices and the linguistic terms that encapsulate ecological wisdom. Employing participant observation and semi-structured interviews across three villages Telemow, Binuang, and Sepan. This research maps ecological practices to linguistic terms, revealing a traditional ecological calendar that guides resource management. Despite the documented significance of indigenous knowledge systems, there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding how linguistic elements function within these ecological frameworks. The findings illustrate the potential for integrating indigenous ecological knowledge into modern sustainable development frameworks, thereby offering actionable insights for policy development in Nusantara (IKN). The study identifies key practices, such as "sasi" (customary prohibition) and "Manen bijak" (wise harvesting), which demonstrate the tribe's proactive ecological stewardship and their cultural underpinning. Additionally, a sophisticated ecological calendar aligns resource management with seasonal cycles, reflecting deep ecological understanding. This research emphasizes the urgent need to incorporate indigenous ecological knowledge into contemporary development strategies to promote sustainability and cultural preservation. By recognizing the interplay between language, culture, and ecology, effective and culturally sensitive development initiatives can be achieved in the Nusantara region.
Zainal et al. (2025) studied this question.