Enviro News Asia, Banten — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has reaffirmed its commitment to recognizing and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples by officially granting ten Customary Forest decrees and launching the 2025–2029 Roadmap for the Acceleration of Customary Forest Recognition and Designation.
The symbolic event took place at Imah Gede Kasepuhan Pasireurih in Lebak Regency, Banten, on Saturday, where Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni emphasized the critical role of Indigenous communities in safeguarding forest ecosystems.
“Indigenous Peoples have proven to be the best guardians of the forest. Experience has shown that forests managed by Indigenous communities maintain high levels of sustainability because of their collective responsibility. Forest protection efforts place Indigenous Peoples as key partners and subjects of forest management,” Raja Juli Antoni said.
The minister noted that the launch of the 2025–2029 roadmap represents a concrete follow-up to Indonesia’s commitment announced during COP30 in Belém, Brazil, in 2025. The roadmap targets the acceleration of customary forest recognition across approximately 1.4 million hectares involving 95 Indigenous communities ready for verification, while administrative requirements for another 123 communities will also be facilitated.
As of May 2026, the Ministry of Forestry had designated 174 customary forest units nationwide, covering around 368,877 hectares and benefiting 92,955 households.
The ten customary forest decrees handed over during the event cover a combined area of 1,175 hectares and protect the traditional territories and livelihoods of 4,938 households.
Six decrees were awarded to Indigenous communities in Lebong Regency, Bengkulu Province, including Rejang Marga Suku IX, Rejang Kutai Kota Baru Santan, Rejang Kutai Pelabai, Rejang Kutai Talang Donok, Rejang Kutai Talang Donok 1, and Rejang Kutai Tabeak Blau.
Two customary forest decrees were granted to Desa Adat Cempaga and Desa Adat Tigawasa in Buleleng Regency, Bali, while two others were awarded to the Marga Sungai Pinang and Marga Batang Asai Indigenous communities in Sarolangun Regency, Jambi.
Director General of Social Forestry Catur Endah Prasetiani P. said the roadmap would be implemented through cross-sector collaboration under a dedicated Task Force for the Acceleration of Customary Forest Recognition.
“This 2025–2029 Roadmap serves as a strategic compass and a multi-stakeholder operational guide. The handover of these ten decrees today demonstrates that our commitment and implementation mechanisms are already moving forward,” Catur Endah said.
The event was attended by local government leaders from recipient regions, representatives of Indigenous communities across Lebak Regency, members of the acceleration task force, civil society organizations, and development partners.
The Ministry of Forestry expects the roadmap to improve Indigenous communities’ welfare, reduce tenure conflicts, and strengthen inclusive, sustainable, and sovereign forest governance across Indonesia. (*)
