Alam dan Tumbuh-tumbuhan sebagai Sempadan Nagari di Sumatera Barat

Nagari refers to the lowest level of administration in the Sumatera Barat province. It is very special compared to desa or other lower regions in Indonesia because it has a very close relationship with the environment. As an outcome of the relationship the natural environment and a number of vegetation types are used as borders between Nagari. The question is how is the status of the relationship in time and changes brought about either intentionally or unintentionally by the Sumatera Barat communities. Based on studies carried out on boundary conflicts in Sumatera Barat it is found that a few Nagari still maintain and conserve the environment and vegetation as marks of their territorial boundaries. Nevertheless, some other Nagari failed to conserve the vegetation but instead replaced the Nagari boundaries with beton poles as they are regarded stronger and permanent in determining Nagari boundaries.This study shows the reasons, weaknesses and strengths of the Nagari in using the environment and vegetation as Nagari boundaries.