Forest conservation project in West Papua must go hand in hand with the province’s economic and infrastructure development. This is because development in West Papua can be a double-edged sword. While it is necessary to improve the quality of life of the West Papuans, unsustainable development can lead to environmental problems.
Thankfully, the local and national governments are working together to balance the development and environmental, especially forest, protection. Here are some important facts about forest protection measures in West Papua.
Indonesia’s First Conservation Province
West Papua Forest is the backbone of Indonesia’s environment. To protect the forests in the province, the West Papua government officially approved legislation to make West Papua a Conservation Province. It means West Papua is also the first Conservation Province in Indonesia.
This legislation is the first legal framework to improve the effort of sustainable development in West Papua. Sustainable development includes protecting the marine ecosystem in the province, protecting the forest along with its biodiversity, and also protecting the rights of indigenous people.
The plan to make West Papua a Conservation Province has been around since 2015 but it was finally implemented in 2019. It is a great start for the continuation of the forest conservation project in West Papua.
Deforestation is an Inevitable Result of Economic Development
Deforestation is a direct result of development. In West Papua, deforestation is something inevitable to make way for infrastructure development, especially the roads. As more roads are built, more villages are connected, but at the same time, there are also more forest clearing. West Papua has lost almost 20 percent of its forests since the acceleration of infrastructure development in the province.
Of course, the government cannot stop the development, even if it means losing more forests. However, it is possible to take a more sustainable measure to continue economic and infrastructure development and protect the forest at the same time and that is what the local government is doing right now.
Protecting Peatlands Help Lowering Carbon Emissions
Peatland forests must be protected because preserving the forests in peatland areas can help lower carbon emissions. On the contrary, when peatland forests are cleared, it can result in higher carbon emissions, which can be dangerous for the environment. consequently, the government must revise its policy regarding peatland forest clearing to lower carbon emission levels in West Papua. The government must do its best effort to protect the peatlands area to take environmental protection to the next level.
Fulfilling Indonesia’s Commitment to Paris Agreement
Indonesia is one of the 155 countries that have signed the Paris Agreement and agreed to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. Indonesia still has a long way to go because its target is to reduce up to 2 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2030.
If the local and national government can make a thorough and elaborate plan regarding the forest conversation project in West Papua, Indonesia can reach its Paris goal before the deadline. It shows that protecting the forests in West Papua is not only important for Indonesia but also the whole world.
West Papua as the New Global Standard of Forest Conservation
Making West Papua a Conservation Province puts this beautiful province in the center of global environmental protection efforts. The world will see what West Papua does to protect its forests and take it as an example.
The legislation also will show that it is possible to practice sustainable development to protect the earth’s biodiversity. As a matter of fact, it is a plan that the government of every country should pursue to reduce the world’s carbon emissions. It is time to take a big step to save the environment and the forest conservation project in West Papua is leading it.
