Talking about the eastern part of Indonesia, many people will likely talk about the beautiful nature or biodiversity. But behind those thick forest covers, lies the problem of conservation and industries. West Papua particularly has been dealing with illegal and problematic oil palm plantation land that eats up the natural forest of Papua. How is it in the current situation?
Ranges Of Violations By Oil Palm License Holders
Violations and misdeed by many oil palm license holders have put the opportunity for indigenous Papua, local administration, and Indonesia government to make a move on conservation needs. The data was gained upon inspection in November 2021, which states that ranges of misdeed by palm oil companies have violated more than 575.000 hectares of land.
The huge land uses itself is calculated for more than two and a half times the size of London. What is even worse, it sacrifices a huge amount of land rights for the local tribes and also contributes to plummeting the forest cover in the region. One thing that makes it worst is that around 383, 400 hectares of land were determined as a legal violation and a litany of administration.
Upon inspection, the local and central governments start pushing the land that has the potential to be saved. Not only that, but the land also goes to the indigenous people’s right to management and sustainable usage. During the inspection by local, government, and NGOs Pusaka and EcoNusa, the review of the west Papua oil palm permit is jaw-breaking.
The review permit for oil palm plantations over the several months has indicated that roughly about 14 permits of major companies have been permanently revoked. The land permit itself is known to have the potential in reducing emissions in Indonesia. That can be done by reviving an estimation of 185.5 million tons of above-ground carbon dioxide.
The Fight For Land Right
Review permit and land details were done to appease the local’s community struggle to claim their forest right. At the same time, locals have been trying to defend their territories against oil palm companies that violate numerous regulations. A 2019 government audit found that almost 80% of palm plantation has violated many rules.
Some of those rules invoke rage from locals that starting to get under strong pressure to protect their areas. At some point, the violation of regulations also appears as the plantation encroaching into west Papua protected areas. Another issue also came from the inability to comply with the national sustainability standards.
The long fight for the land right and against oil palm companies itself has been done in years. One of the biggest complaints and protests was on May 20, 2021. During that protest, over 200 locals protested in front of the Sorong District chief’s official residence. The protestors demand the government to heighten up the permits.
As time goes, the government has tried to push locals’ rights by considering the company’s permits and fighting for the land right. Three palm oil companies have filed lawsuits against the permit revocation. Meanwhile, some of the companies have already stated their willingness to relinquish some land with combined more than 52,000 hectares of land.
Conservation And Oil Palm Permit Cancelation
Due to the permit revoked, pending, and farm prohibition, around 224,004 hectares of plantation areas are a dead concession. Many other locations and areas are also under the company’s name that either have yet had planting activity or are dead. The west Papua local government determined to deemed the license since there is no planting at all.
The oil palm permit cancelation was one of the steps in realizing conservation movement in the region. The government also vowed to make various commitments to protect the province’s remaining rainforest. It indicates that the determination also includes paying more attention to the agriculture, logging, and mining industrial expansion.
As some palm permit has been revoked, the government will roll out follow-up action by granting locals access to the rescinded concession land. It mainly focuses on helping revive the area, manage it sustainably, and conserve the land or forest area. The government will not give new licenses to other investors.
When the movement and act take place, it is believed that around 383,000 hectares of forest cover will significantly reduce carbon emissions. At the same time, the strict west Papua law in the industry will also help in reducing deforestation. It is also a great stepping stone to support the government’s commitment to conserving more than 70% of forest area.
Even though Indonesia is known for its oil palm exports, the large amount of land uses in Papua itself is in a bad state. Violation upon issues arises since oil palm development keeps pressuring indigenous people. As of November 2021, locals fought for their land rights and eventually gain their share of the government revoking oil palm permits.
