Coalition urges Forestry Bill to place indigenous rights at its core

The direction of forestry policy has shifted, now encompassing not only conservation and production but also investment, carbon trading, energy transition, and infrastructure development, according to Grahat Nagara from the Forestry Research Coalition. Speaking during a consolidation meeting for the Sulawesi and Papua regions in Makassar on Wednesday, he stated that this shift must be balanced with the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities who depend on forest areas. He assessed that experiences in Sulawesi and Papua demonstrate persistently high levels of tenure conflict, slow recognition of customary territories, and the encroachment of investment into the living spaces of indigenous communities. Consequently, the coalition is advocating for forestry governance reform that is oriented towards the recognition of indigenous rights, tenure justice, respect for the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), and the protection of environmental defenders. Arnold from Panah Papua added that forest sustainability will remain unattainable as long as the community’s right to their living space is treated merely as an administrative matter. The coalition also called on the government, the House of Representatives, regional administrations, businesses, and all stakeholders to ensure the deliberation of the Forestry Bill results in regulations that guarantee the protection of indigenous rights, expand public participation, and support forest conservation.