The DPR RI’s Legislation Body (Baleg) has approved draft legislation (RUU) for the development of three new provinces in Papua on Wednesday (4/6/2022). South Papua Province, Central Papua Province, and Central Highlands Papua Province are the three additional provinces that would be established. These three new provinces will follow West Papua Province, formed due to Papua’s partitioning. So, what are the characteristics of Papua’s three new provinces?
South Papua Province (Ha Anim)
The capital of the province of South Papua is Merauke. This province has another name Ha Anim, a specific name that refers to a tribe in Papua called the Marind. There are 4 districts in this province.
– Merauke Regency
Placed near Papua New Guinea, Merauke is made up of lowlands and wetlands and covers 45,071 cubic kilometers (11 percent of the entire area of Papua Province). Merauke is the biggest region in Papua since it has 30 districts.
– Mappi Regency
Mappi Regency spans an area size of 23,824 cubic kilometers and is divided into 15 districts. This region promotes agriculture and fishing due to the possibility of marine resources and huge mangrove forests.
– Asmat Regency
The forest covers most of the Asmat Regency; it contains 23,746 cubic kilometers or 7.44 percent of the total land area of Papua Province. Asmat Regency is placed in Papua Province’s southern region. Because forestry covers the majority of the Asmat Regency, it is one of the most strategically important commodities.
– Boven Digoel Regency
Boven Digoel Regency has a total area of 27,108.29 cubic kilometers with 20 districts here. The citizen in this region specializes in working in the marine sector since the geographical condition of Boven Digoel Regency includes several tiny rivers and several big rivers.
Central Papua Province (Meepago)
There are 6 regions in central Papua. The province’s capital, also known as Meepago, is Timika.
– Paniai Regency
Paniai Regency is split into ten districts and covers 8,045.25 cubic kilometers. Forestry is one of the sub-sectors that contribute considerably to the earnings of the Paniai Regency.
– Mimika Regency
Mimika is divided into 18 districts that cover 21,693.51 cubic kilometers, or 4.75 percent of the total land area of Papua Province. Mimika is the wealthiest area in Papua Province, with the potential for great minerals and mining prosperity.
– Dogiyai Regency
Hills and mountains still dominate up to 85 percent of the Dogiyai area. It covers an area of 4,237.4 cubic kilometers and is divided into seven districts. Rice and secondary crops lead the farming industry in this region.
– Deyiai Regency
Deiyai Regency contains 5 districts and has an area of 41,231.6 cubic kilometers. Deiyai Regency is primarily covered by forest regions, both preserved and commercial. As a result, the forestry industry has developed into one of the greatest.
– Intan Jaya Regency
Intan Jaya is split into six districts and also has an area of 3,922 cubic kilometers. This area has a lot of gold mining prospects. Various mining corporations have developed business in this area, ranging from PT Freeport to PT Wabu.
– Puncak Regency
Puncak Regency is divided into eight districts and covers an area of 8,055 cubic kilometers. This district offers a variety of development of economic, particularly agricultural, which produces so much cassava.
Papua Province of Central Mountains (Lapago)
Papua Province, the Central Mountains or Lapago, has a capital city called Wamena. This province has most regions, that is 8 regions.
– Puncak Jaya Regency
Puncak Jaya Regency covers 14,532 cubic kilometers or approximately 3.42 percent of the entire area of Papua Province. Puncak Jaya is made up of 26 districts. The farming activity is the most important in this region.
– Jayawijaya Regency
Jayawijaya Regency is split into 40 districts and has an area of 13,925.31 kilometers. With the Baliem Valley encircled by the Jayawijaya Mountains, this area offers natural tourist potential. Furthermore, this location benefits the forestry, cattle, and fishing industries.
– Lanny Jaya Regency
Lanny Jaya Regency covers an area of 6,585 cubic kilometers and is divided into 39 districts. The geography of Lanny Jaya is upland; the whole area is hills and mountains.
– Central Mamberamo Regency
Central Mamberamo Regency is divided into five districts and has an area of 1,275 cubic kilometers. Superior regional resources can extend from corn and cassava cultivation to gardens, poultry, and fish stocks.
– Tolikara Regency
Tolikara Regency has a total size of 14,263 kilometers and is split into 46 districts. The farming sector, which includes rice and potatoes, is the primary economic activity in this region, controlled by highlands at an elevation of more than 1,000 meters above sea level.
– Yalimo Regency
Yalimo covers 3,568.52 kilometers or 1.1 percent of the total land area of Papua Province. This regency is divided into five districts. Corn, cassava, coffee, and coconut are all excellent commodities for this area. Forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries are other significant commodity industries.
– Nduga Regency
Nduga Regency has 12,941 square kilometers, or 4.08 percent of the total land area of Papua Province. Nduga, divided into eight districts, has the potential for forests resources, animals led by pigs, fish stocks, and crops led by coffee, red fruit, coconut, sugar cane, and sago.
– Yahukimo Regency
Yahukimo Regency spans 17,152 kilometers and is divided into 51 districts. Coffee plantations, red fruit, and sago are among the best goods in this region.
Those are the 3 newest provinces in Papua that will be with Papua and West Papua. This formation is based on improving the welfare of the Papuan people, and the results are expected to be the same as in West Papua, which growing fast.
