Eight Proposals for Customary Forests in Sorong Verified, Area Boundaries and Community Rights Become Focus

SORONG, GARISBUMI.com – Eight proposed customary forests in Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua, are undergoing field verification to clarify the area, condition of the forest, and the customary law communities who proposed them. This inspection is a stage towards determining the status of customary forests and ensuring their management.

Verification will take place on 29 September–5 October 2026 by an Integrated Team involving the Ministry of Forestry, local government, academics, as well as related agencies and parties.

The eight proposals came from the Customary Law Community (MHA) Aresi Clan, Blon Clan, Fadan Lamas Clan, Gelek Malak Klawilis Pasa Clan, Gisim Clan, Igip Klasafit Clan, Kenali Clan, and Koso Clan.

Head of Sub-Directorate for Determination of Customary Forests and Private Forests, Directorate General of Social Forestry, Yuli Prasetyo Nugroho, said that accelerating the determination of customary forests must be accompanied by a thorough understanding of the community and the proposed area.

"The Integrated Team needs to see directly the conditions on the ground and listen to all parties related to the proposed area. This step is taken to identify and find solutions to various problems that still exist, so that the process of establishing Customary Forests can continue," said Yuli in a statement from the Ministry of Forestry, Thursday (1/10/2026).

According to him, acceleration does not only concern administration. Forest conditions, territorial boundaries, local wisdom, governance, and relationships between parties need to be examined before the government makes a decision.