JAKARTA – Massive exploitation in Papua will not only damage environment, but also threaten the survival of the indigenous people who are dependent on the forests in Papua. Allowing such exploitation will cause the indigenous communities to lose their source of livelihood and their cultural identity which are strongly linked to nature.
The environment and forestry ministry’s (KLHK) Forest Area Management Director Muhammad Said has stated that the environmental damage will not only affect ecology, but also the economic and cultural aspects of local communities. According to him, forest areas that had been listed as customary forests will stay to function as customary forests. “It means we cannot give licenses for anyone to use the forest areas for any purposes. It will stay to function as customary forests,” he said.
He stated that for the Moi tribe in Papua, there will be no obstacle to keep the legal status of their customary forests. “We’ve planned to conduct a verification process of the forests this year,” he said. Regarding the Awyu people, they had filed a proposal for customary forests by the end of 2023. “Hopefully, there will be no obstacles to conduct field verification regarding the request of the Awyu community.
“We plan to do it this year. We know that a proposal had been filed ahead of the end of 2023. Their proposal is concerned with a request that forests that are determined as customay forests cannot be licenced for other purposes to other people other than the indigenous people as the owner, without the approval of the traditional leaders,” he said.
Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister and the National Land Agency (BPN) Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said that very often in getting land areas development projects are prioritized. But the appropriation of land areas for development should not deprive the indigenous people from their customary forest rights.
“We should understand that the indigenous people have been living there for generations. There they have their own customs and traditions. It’s the source of their livelihood. It’s part of their life and even they want to die there,” said AHY as quoted by sawitku.id from Voaindonesia.com on Tuesday (04/062024). (*)
Source: sawitku.id
