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.

Recognition of the Moi Indigenous Community is the Foundation

Recognition of customary law communities in Sorong Regency has a regional basis through Sorong Regency Regional Regulation Number 10 of 2017 concerning Recognition and Protection of Moi Customary Law Communities.

This regulation was followed up with a number of decisions by the Regent of Sorong regarding the recognition and protection of customary law communities and their customary territories.

The Ministry of Forestry places the establishment of customary forests as part of the recognition and protection of customary law communities. Management is directed at maintaining forest functions while paying attention to local wisdom.

The ongoing verification aims to clarify the conditions of each proposal and identify matters that still require clarification. This stage does not constitute a decision to determine the status of customary forests.

Maintaining Living Space and Handling Tenurial Issues

Integrated Team Leader George A.F. The Minister of Agriculture from the University of Papua explained that the establishment of customary forests is also directed at protecting the community's living space, preserving the ecosystem, and protecting traditional knowledge.

This process is also an approach to dealing with tenure issues or control and use of land in and around forest areas.

"Our principle is clear, acceleration must not reduce the quality of the process. Acceleration actually means that the government is present to resolve obstacles one by one so that people get legal certainty, their forest areas are clear, and their management can run sustainably," said George.

The Ministry of Forestry stated that it would continue to collaborate with the Southwest Papua Provincial Government, Sorong Regency Government, traditional law communities, academics and related parties to complete the determination process.

Caltion:

A resident touches a tree trunk in a forest area. Recognition of customary forests is part of efforts to protect the living space of customary communities, maintain local wisdom and preserve forest ecosystems. Photo: Ministry of Forestry documentation.