Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — The Ministry of Forestry, through the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE), has issued an official apology to the people of Papua—particularly to traditional leaders and cultural institutions such as the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP)—following the destruction of evidence items, including bird of paradise headdresses and ornaments, carried out on October 20, 2025, in Jayapura.
Director General of KSDAE, Prof. Satyawan Pudyatmoko, explained that the destruction was part of a legal enforcement process against the illegal trade of protected wildlife, in accordance with Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024 on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems. However, the Ministry acknowledged that some of the destroyed items carried significant cultural and symbolic value for the Papuan people.
“We sincerely apologize for the disappointment and hurt this may have caused among the Papuan community. We fully understand that the bird of paradise headdress is not merely an object, but a symbol of honor and cultural identity for the people of Papua,” said Prof. Satyawan in Jakarta on Wednesday (Oct 22, 2025).
He emphasized that the Ministry of Forestry had no intention of offending or disregarding the cultural values of the Papuan people. This incident, he added, serves as an important lesson for all levels of the Ministry to ensure that law enforcement efforts always take into account social and cultural aspects.
“Conservation is not only about protecting wildlife but also about respecting local wisdom and cultural values,” he added.
As a follow-up, the Ministry of Forestry has instructed the Papua Regional KSDA Office to initiate open dialogue and communication with traditional institutions, the MRP, and Papuan community leaders. The goal is to build mutual understanding and establish more culturally sensitive mechanisms for handling protected wildlife evidence with cultural significance.
“We will explore the possibility of repurposing culturally valuable evidence items for educational purposes through collaboration with traditional institutions or local museums, without undermining the legal principles of wildlife protection,” Prof. Satyawan stated.
The Ministry of Forestry reaffirmed its commitment that the conservation of the bird of paradise and the respect for Papuan culture must go hand in hand. The bird of paradise is not only a symbol of Indonesia’s rich biodiversity but also a source of pride and identity for the people of Papua—something that must be safeguarded through mutual respect and collaboration. (*)
