Jambi Provincial Government: Customary forests crucial for ecosystem preservation
Jambi City (ANTARA) – The Jambi Provincial Government has emphasised the important role of customary law communities in forest management to safeguard ecosystem sustainability across generations.
‘Customary forests are living spaces for indigenous communities, who have protected the forest for generations,’ said Sudirman, the regional secretary of Jambi, when opening the provincial festival of customary forests in Jambi City on Tuesday.
In the briefing, the secretary outlined the central government’s commitment through the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, announced since 2025, which targets recognition of 1.4 million hectares of customary forests nationwide within the next four years (to 2029).
The good news is that, through Minister of Environment and Forestry Decrees No. 2074 and 2075, Jambi Province has officially secured designation of new customary forest areas handed over to two communities.
First, the Marga Sungai Pinang customary-law community, Muaro Pemuat Village, Batang Asai Sub-district, Sarolangun Regency, covering 69 hectares.
Second, the Marga Batang Asai customary-law community, Raden Anom Village, Batang Asai Sub-district, Sarolangun Regency, covering approximately 821 hectares.
Moreover, Sudirman explained that the background to the establishment of these customary forests is noble, ranging from protecting upstream water sources, disaster risk reduction, to preserving ancestral wisdom.
The government hopes that adat communities will not only be objects of development or marginalised groups but active agents who manage their own natural resources.
As a form of appreciation and motivation, the Jambi Provincial Government will also run a 2026 provincial-level competition on the management of customary forests in Jambi Province.
Judging will be conducted strictly by a panel comprising the Jambi Provincial Forestry Service, the Kampar Social Forestry Centre, and the Faculty of Agriculture at Jambi University.
The judging criteria include forest canopy condition, area size, management of customary forest enterprises, and compliance with customary law.
Based on the judges’ results, the first prize was won by the Customary Forest Management Institution (LPHA) Dusun Baru Pelepat, in Bungo Regency. Second place went to LPHA Hulu Air Lembur Lekuk Limo Puluh Tumbi, Kerinci Regency, and third place to LPHA Rimbo Penghulu Depati Gento Rajo, Merangin Regency.
‘We believe there are many programmes and activities that can be supported by this customary forest competition; all parties can work in synergy,’ he concluded.