Government considers carbon scheme to fund national parks

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Forestry, Rohmat Marzuki, stated that the Task Force on Innovative Financing and National Park Management is exploring various alternative funding schemes for national parks, including potential carbon trading mechanisms.

Speaking following the 43rd Forestry Service Day ceremony in Jakarta on Monday, Deputy Minister Marzuki noted that Indonesia’s 57 national parks are currently funded through the state budget (APBN), given their critical role in conserving protected flora and fauna essential to ecological balance.

“We require alternative funding mobilisation, not solely relying on the state budget. For instance, funding from international sources, particularly through carbon trading schemes, specifically for ARR activities—Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation,” he stated.

The Ministry of Forestry previously announced the establishment of the Task Force on Innovative Financing and National Park Management on 12 March, chaired by Hashim Djoyohadikusumo and supported by Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni and other prominent figures, including Mari Elka Pangestu.

According to the Minister, the government believes a new approach is required in financing and managing national parks to ensure they function not only as conservation centres but also support sustainable ecotourism development.

As an initial step, the government will prepare several pilot projects for national park management, including one at Way Kambas National Park. The programme will also address ongoing human-elephant conflicts in surrounding areas through the development of barriers or delimiting canals, alongside community empowerment initiatives.