Forestry Ministry urges forest management to prioritise local wisdom in Papua

The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) is pushing for sustainable forest management in Papua that prioritises local wisdom, particularly in the Papua Highlands. Climate Change Advisor to the Forestry Minister, Professor Haruni Krisnawati, stated that social aspects and local wisdom must be central to managing forests in Papua Highlands and across the wider region to effectively protect and conserve them.

She noted that global climate agendas align with the need for sustainable forest management in Papua, with the forestry sector designated as Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU), aiming to meet Indonesia’s emissions reduction targets. Nearly 60% of the country’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals fall under FOLU, requiring collaboration between central and regional governments, private sector, academia, community groups, and medical institutions.

According to Professor Krisnawati, the Papua Highlands’ forests remain in excellent condition, with approximately 80% of the region’s forests intact, per the Papua Highlands Regional Secretary’s report. She emphasised the region’s role as a bastion for Indonesia’s tropical forests to absorb global greenhouse gases.

She called on the provincial governor and regents of the eight regencies to actively support sustainable forest management in the region to achieve global carbon sequestration targets. She added that effective local forest management could attract international support for sustainable practices.

The Papua Highlands forest area spans 5.1 million hectares across eight regencies, including Jayawijaya, Lanny Jaya, Nduga, Tolikara, Yalimo, Central Mamberamo, Yahukimo, and Bintang Mountains.