Environmental damage is an issue that happens in some provinces in Indonesia, such as in the West Papua. It does not stop at the loss of biodiversity, but also various other aspects of the environment.
This is including the threat of climate change. Forest destruction that brings flash floods to damage ecosystems and the livelihoods of local communities can occur at anytime.
It is especially if the forest management is not done optimally. To overcome this, the cultural approach becomes one of the answers that can be applied and accepted by the people in that land.
The issue was discussed in a talk show titled “Papua Ecology and Climate Crisis” in a series of elementary school of eco diplomacy (SED) events in Jayapura, in 2019.
SED is held in collaboration with the Provincial Government through the Forest Service, Cendrawasih University, Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA), Jayapura Community Forum-Bakau Jayapura House, and EcoNusa Foundation.
Present at the event was Head of Jayapura City Production Forest Management Unit John Sugeng Huik, head of the Evaluation of Data Reporting and Public Relations, etc.
Those are like the Natural Resources Conservation Center Paulus Baibaba, Assistant Rector III of Cendrawasih University Jhonathan Wororomi and other parties.
The Lecturer of Geography Education Study Program of Cendrawasih University Yehuda Hamokwarong, and residents of Kampung Sereh, Sentani, Isaiah Eluay also took a part.
The Connection Between Socio-Cultural Approach with the Damage Forests
West Papua is a province which is blessed with the amazing forest area. It becomes a great part which makes that region is unique, rich, and for sure beautiful.
When forests are damaged, it is not only the trees that will be lost or flooded, but also the process of environmental interaction and social, cultural aspects. It’s quite complicated.
That opinion was stated by Jhonathan in that meeting. Yesaya said that the Cycloops Mountains were damaged by plantation activity.
The community is gardening at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level. According to Yesaya, many large trees have been uprooted, turning into community plantations.
It also affects the source of the spring. Of the 124 springs now only 5 springs remain that still flow And can give the benefits for the people around there.
This type of method can make the West Papua is under the worse condition. It is especially due to the green and healthy environment.
Cycloops used to be very cold where the dew is thick and the clothes are wet. Go inside using a flashlight in the morning (4 o’clock) but now it’s bright.
It’s a big tree and we’re scared. Now it’s gone Where cycloops has also been landslide like that.
Based on the yesaya story, it has ever hit his house and two children were killed. In this case, he was just talking about nature reserves.
Some Policies need to be Revised by the West Papua Government
Yehuda lamented the government’s attitude that granted the settlement permits on the riverbank. That way, he continued, the government did not heed the Spatial and Regional Plan.
The settlement can actually threaten the safety of residents, such as during flash floods and landslides in the Cyloops Mountains. It is so dangerous.
Based on the data, the victims of the latest floods, the most are residents who are on the riverbank. This, of course, can be dangerous. Rtrw is currently being reviewed by the government.
Inter-tribal cooperation in the West Papua can also ease the conservation efforts. Paul said that the Cycloops Mountains nature reserve is inhabited by five different tribes.
Differences in customs and ethics in ulayat rights holders need to be understood by local governments to facilitate the management of nature reserves.
Yohanes saw that the younger generation is having a big role in efforts to preserve the natural resources and protect the community. He hopes the SED program can bring change to every participant.
Other Ways Prepared by the Government
Besides through the cultural approaches, some other ways are also prepared by the government to save the nature. Here are some of them.
- Good cooperation between many parties
This environmental issue is a problem across the administrative, cross-sectoral, and is a common problem of all stakeholders. For this reason, it takes togetherness to overcome this problem.
- Creating the positive activities in the West Papua
To be able to restore the improved environmental conditions as before, it can only be done through various positive activities in maintaining and caring for the environment.
The examples are like “one person one tree” planting program, cleaning the mountain, river area, and something like that. A discussion or an even like seminar is also beneficial to do.
It is especially for the workers or those who are working in the local government sector. From that, they are able to get more knowledge and make the new plans.
For sure that those plans are related in how to save the environment. Besides the natur, human resource development in the West Papua can also be increased.
