51 Papuan tribes face extinction due to logging

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Excessive logging has pushed to near extinction at least 51 isolated tribes living as nomads in Waropen, Papua, the country's eastern most province.

Head of the Papua Social Welfare Office Onnes Rumandei said in Jayapura on Thursday that forests, which had long been the habitat for these tribes, were vanishing due to excessive logging by forest concessionaires.

Onnes did not mention the names of those holding forest utilization licenses (HPHs) operating in Papua, but they are believed to be Jakarta-based companies with a strong connection to the New Order regime.

Logging activities, which have worsened since the central government introduced the special autonomy law on January 1, have driven the tribes to mountainous areas along the Mamberamo River's catchment sites bordering the regencies of Nabire, Puncak Jaya, Jayawijaya and Jayapura.

Under the special autonomy arrangement, local administrations may grant concessionaires the right to exploit the country's forests.

The special autonomy law also allows the province to keep up to 80 percent of the revenue generated from the exploitation of local resources, change its name from Irian Jaya to Papua, and to fly the provincial flag alongside the national flag.

The tribes, which were first discovered by Christian missionaries and foundations, lead a Stone Age life, with tribespeople choosing to wear no clothes and to live in caves, trees or twig huts.

Onnes criticized the government for not paying any attention to the plight of these tribes.

"Where in fact, these isolated tribes are also part of the unitary state of Indonesia that deserve government service," said Onnes, expressing fear that the tribes would become extinct if the government did not act quickly.

"The tribes are currently being taken care of by the church and foundations that are concerned with their well-being," said Onnes, who emphasized that the government had never had the chance to look after the tribes.

Onnes said the central government had always ignored proposals submitted to Jakarta. He did not elaborate on the proposals.

Papuans, according to Onnes, are one of the world's last remaining pure indigenous people and their welfare should be of international concern.

He said between 70 percent and 80 percent of the indigenous Papuan population were still living in isolated regions.

In 2002, the Papuan government designated 12 training centers in 12 regencies in Jayapura, Biak Numfor, Yawa, Nabire, Puncak Jaya, Jayawijaya, Merauke, Paniai, Sorong and Fakfak.