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Forest Protection and Green Economy in The Crown Jewel of Papua

This project aims to ensure the protection of vast forest areas and establish a green economy in the Bird’s Head Landscape of West Papua, Indonesia. This initiative focuses on sustainable management practices that benefit both the environment and local communities.

  • 0.0 million ha

    of tropical forest are protected and sustainably managed

  • Where
    Manokwari, West Papua
  • Focus area
    Biodiversity
  • Duration
    2023 - 2027
  • Economy
    DKK 14 million
Prime partner: Konservasi Indonesia (KI)

Context

West Papua, part of the island of New Guinea, is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, home to an extraordinary array of plant and animal species. Despite its ecological wealth, the area faces significant threats from deforestation, illegal logging, and the encroachment of agriculture. These activities not only endanger critical habitats but also impact the livelihoods of indigenous communities who depend on these forests for their sustenance and cultural practices. The provincial division in 2022 further complicated conservation efforts, necessitating coordinated action to preserve this natural heritage.

The Project

The project covers a continuous area of 2.3 million hectares, linking several IUCN category 1a protected areas such as North Tambrauw, South Tambrauw, Arfak Mountains, and Bintuni Bay. The project emphasizes collaborative management among local authorities, NGOs, and indigenous communities to protect and sustainably manage these forests.

A significant focus of the project is the development of a governing forum for stakeholders to ensure effective and coordinated management of conservation areas, protected forests, and non-forest estates. By enhancing the skills and resources of local forest authorities and communities, the project aims to provide comprehensive training, knowledge exchanges, and technical support. This includes improving forest planning, inventory, and monitoring capabilities.

In addition, the project promotes sustainable forest management practices within local communities, securing social forestry licenses, and supporting community-led conservation initiatives. By integrating traditional knowledge and practices, such as the Sasi system, into modern conservation strategies, the project ensures that local communities play a central role in the sustainable management of their natural resources.

Developing and implementing a sustainable financing model is another crucial aspect of the project. This model aims to ensure long-term funding for conservation efforts and community projects by exploring options such as government allocations, tourism-related payments, and village funds.

By integrating conservation with economic development, the project aims to create a resilient green economy that benefits both the environment and local populations.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the project are:

  • Environmental Conservation: Protect and manage 70% of West Papua’s terrestrial area, ensuring the preservation of critical habitats and biodiversity. This includes maintaining high forest cover to mitigate climate change impacts, support water resources, and preserve cultural heritage.

  • Capacity Building: Enhance the skills and resources of local forest authorities and communities to effectively manage and monitor forest areas. This involves training at least 70 staff members from relevant agencies and providing technical support for SMART patrols and forest management plans.

  • Sustainable Livelihoods: Develop community-based forest management practices that provide economic benefits while maintaining ecological integrity. This includes implementing social forestry programs, promoting eco-tourism, and supporting alternative income-generating activities such as non-timber forest products and sustainable agriculture.

  • Sustainable Financing: Establish a feasible model for long-term funding to support ongoing conservation efforts and community initiatives. Potential sources of revenue include national government allocations, special funds, tourism fees, and innovative financing mechanisms like the BLUD system for flexible budget management.

  • Community Engagement: Foster strong community involvement and ownership of conservation initiatives by integrating traditional knowledge and practices, such as the Sasi system, into modern conservation strategies. This ensures that local communities play a central role in the sustainable management of their natural resources.

By achieving these objectives, the project seeks to balance ecological preservation with the socio-economic needs of local communities, ensuring the sustainable management of West Papua’s invaluable natural resources. The project also aims to build a model for integrated conservation and development that can be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges.