Indonesia announces plans to protect around 15 million hectares of rainforest as part of a collaboration agreement with the Bezos Earth Fund. 23% of this area is dedicated to protecting indigenous forests, which is ten times the current area under indigenous protection.

INDIGENOUS: One of the indigenous communities in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Photo: Rainforest Foundation Norway.

 

This announcement was made by the Minister of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia, Dr. Siti Nurbaya Bakar, at the Oslo Tropical Forest Forum on June 25, 2024.

Under the “Customary Forest” social forestry scheme, around 3.5 million hectares, equivalent to 23% of the total area, will be granted to indigenous communities. This scheme recognizes and respects the traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous communities, who have long been the guardians of the forest.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Senior Member of the Bezos Earth Fund, Lord Zac Goldsmith, Minister of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia, Dr. Siti Nurbaya Bakar, and Minister of Climate and Environment of Norway, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, during the announcement of the agreement at the Oslo Tropical Forest Forum. Photo: Thomas Brun/NTB.

 

Guardians of the rainforest (Penjaga Hutan Hujan)

“We are pleased to hear this decision announced by the Indonesian government and are ready to work with the government as civil society partners,” said Agung Wibowo, Executive Director of the Indonesian organization, Perkumpulan HuMa.

 

“Indigenous communities are the guardians of the forest and the first actors or frontline defenders in protecting the valuable biodiversity of the rainforest within it. With their full participation and recognition of their rights, Indonesia can successfully protect and restore these incredibly rich and valuable biodiversity forests from destruction,” he said.

Increasing Indigenous Forest Protection Tenfold

This increased protection will expand the area currently under indigenous forest protection tenfold and is expected to be achieved within the next three months.

Toerris Jaeger, Director of the Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN), praised this decision to the press, stating, “This highlights a strong commitment to protecting the remaining Indonesian rainforests and acknowledges the important work done by indigenous communities. Protecting these forests is crucial to minimizing climate change, preserving biodiversity, and maintaining ecological balance. And this commitment comes at a very critical time, where all countries are expected to intensify efforts to preserve biodiversity.”

The Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN) has been collaborating with indigenous partners in Indonesia for several decades and is urging donors, civil society, and companies to seize this momentum and find ways to support this strong commitment in the coming months.

 

source: https://www.regnskog.no/en/news/indonesia-increases-indigenous-protection-tenfold