Jakarta, June 27th, 2022, the indigenous community of Marga Ogoney from Keluk Bintuni District, West Papua Province, together with the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (HuMa) and Panah Papua, visited the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. They inquired about the latest developments regarding the application for the recognition of indigenous forests by the Ogoney indigenous community.

Previously, the Ogoney Indigenous Community had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry on October 5th, 2021. However, the application is still pending. Yustina Ogoney, the head of Merdey District who was also present, stated that she is constantly asked by the community about the progress, hence she hopes for an expedited process.

Muhammad Said, the Director of Conflict Handling, Tenure, and Customary Forests, mentioned that they will soon establish a verification team consisting of several relevant ministries. However, the timing for the team formation has not been confirmed yet. In order to expedite the process of the submitted proposal, he also mentioned that there are still some documents that need to be completed.

The documents that are still lacking include the recommendation from the MJA committee to the Regent, the Minutes of Agreement of the clan meeting for the outer and inner boundaries of the customary area. Yustina Ogoney committed to promptly complete and submit these documents.

Meanwhile, Said also stated that the submission for the recognition of customary forests must be done promptly as this is the first recognition in the Papua region.

On another note, Wahidul Halim from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (HuMa) stated that the state’s recognition of customary forests is a constitutional mandate to improve the welfare of indigenous communities. Customary forests are a manifestation of the presence of indigenous communities. They also serve as a symbol of the relationship between indigenous communities and their environment in implementing existing values.

*photo source: Clarita Nenepat – Panah Papua