With forest cover dwindling in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Papua is the last hope for Indonesia’s intact forests. Ten years ago, 38 percent of Indonesia’s remaining primary forest was in Papua, which is located in the western part of Papua New Guinea, the world’s second-largest island, and comprises the provinces of Papua and West Papua. Papua has one of the most biodiverse forests in the world, with 20,000 plant species, 602 bird species, 125 mammals, and 223 reptiles. The forest is also a source of livelihood for many local communities. However, to preserve Manokwari biome there are various obstacles. What are the obstacles for Manokwari Biome?
Forest Loss Happens Legally
Some deforestation events occur within the boundaries of legal concessions. However, sometimes these concession owners operate outside the approved permits, sometimes even within peat protection zones. The rate of forest loss in West Papua soared in 2015, well above previous years. Of all incidents in 2015, only 3 percent were caused by illegal encroachment. Most of the deforestation in the provinces of Papua and West Papua occurs in Production Forests and Other Use Areas, so it can be called planned deforestation.
However, this practice still permanently damages the diversity of forest ecosystems.Since tree cover loss in Papua peaked in 2015, local leaders have begun to take action. In 2015, West Papua became the world’s first conservation province and the governor reviewed all forestry and plantation licenses throughout West Papua Province.
National Infrastructure Development Involves Clearing Forests
Elements of government that do not fully support conservation. The national government infrastructure development agenda in these provinces still seems to involve forest clearing. If the Indonesian government can keep at least 70 percent of Papua’s territory in Indonesia (29 million hectares) as conservation areas and restore degraded land within protected areas, it can avoid 2.8–3.3 gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions. This means that the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that could be avoided if Indonesia could save Papua’s forests alone would have exceeded the target of 1.8-2.0 gigatons by 2030 set out in the Paris Agreement.
Less Use of Plantations
Alternative sectors that depend on the use of natural resources are currently not being fully utilized to encourage economic growth. For example, Manokwari Biome which is so beautiful is actually very potential for ecotourism. With integrated agroforestry, the production of non-timber forest goods such as rubber, cocoa, honey, orchids, and fruits can also be developed as an alternative source of livelihood. In the process of transitioning to these alternatives, we do not need to completely close off opportunities for plantations. Existing concessions can be transferred to aging plantations as well as degraded and unproductive land in Papua which exceeded 2 million hectares in 2013. However, we must be careful in using plantations.
The resulting economic benefits must be able to reach the community and not just the elite, so as not to exacerbate inequality. Customary forest schemes can also be an option. According to a study, the customary forest is the best system to implement in Papua. For hundreds of years, indigenous peoples in Papua have obtained their food, medicine, and cultural needs from the forest. Now, they can play an important role in efforts to protect forests from encroachment.
That’s what needs to be known in its efforts to protect Papua’s forests and Manokwari Biome, a very important step if Indonesia is to achieve sustainable development in Papua.
