Integrating ecocriticism and place dependence to reveal the post-deforestation conditions of Dayak communities in a documentary

tropical rainforests in Kalimantan, Indonesia, play a vital role in the conservation of biodiversity, carbon storage, and the sustainability of local livelihoods. Unfortunately, this important ecosystem continues to face threats from ongoing deforestation. This study adopted a qualitative approach using document analysis, with a documentary produced by Watchdoc Image, titled Ikat Tonggang: Protect the Forest, Preserve the Culture, as the primary source. The film explores the perspectives of the Dayak in Kinipan Village in the post-deforestation period. To analyze the data, the researchers combined ecocriticism theory, used to explore representations of environmental conditions, with the concept of place dependence, which refers to individuals’ functional attachment to a specific place. In this framework, ecocriticism is applied to identify and categorize themes, while place dependence is used to interpret the data. The findings show that the documentary conveys a strong message for sustainable forest management, which reflects the physical, social, and ecological characteristics of local communities. Additionally, the documentary depicts how deforestation impacts: (1) the physical environment, thereby changing place dependence by altering the role of forests as homes, sources of biodiversity for the construction of homes, and ecotourism; (2) social conditions, thereby changing place dependence by altering the role of forests as agricultural land, economic resources, and a source of personal and social harmony; and (3) ecological wisdom, thereby affecting place dependence by disrupting forests as spaces for ethnomedical practices, education for future generations, and sacred spaces associated with belief systems. In general, the conclusion is that for the Dayak, forests are not just physical spaces but also the center of life. Losing the forests means losing a profound sense of identity and the cultural foundation rooted in their existence.