Enviro News Asia, Palangka Raya — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry is strengthening forest governance by improving the competency of forestry professionals to support sustainable and productive forest management while increasing economic benefits for local communities.
The ministry considers strengthening technical personnel at the field level a strategic step to ensure that forest management and the utilization of forest products comply with regulations, provide business certainty and maintain the ecological functions of forests.
As part of this effort, the Ministry of Forestry’s Sustainable Forest Management Agency (BPHL) Region XII Palangka Raya organized a technical training and competency assessment for Technical Personnel for Forest Management (GANISPH) specializing in non-timber forest products (NTFPs), particularly the stem-group testing category, from August 7–9, 2026, in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan.
The program was attended by 60 participants from Social Forestry groups across Central Kalimantan.
Head of BPHL Region XII Palangka Raya Secunda S. Santoso said strengthening the competency of technical personnel is an important investment to ensure that forest management policies are effectively implemented at the field level.
“The Ministry of Forestry continues to promote the development of forestry human resources to respond to increasingly dynamic forest management challenges. Through the strengthening of GANISPH NTFP competencies, we aim to ensure that non-timber forest products are utilized in an orderly manner, in accordance with regulations, provide greater business certainty and value for communities, while maintaining forest sustainability,” Secunda said.
He added that competent technical personnel would strengthen the implementation of sustainable forest management while supporting the forestry sector’s contribution to the national economy through the optimal and sustainable utilization of non-timber forest products.
Participants received training from representatives of the Directorate of Forest Product Levies and Administration (IPHH), academics from the University of Palangka Raya and officials from BPHL Region XII Palangka Raya.
The training covered relevant regulations, technical procedures for stem-group testing and the administration of non-timber forest products in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Azis Muslim, a representative of the Directorate of IPHH, emphasized that technical competency is a key pillar of accountable forest product governance.
“Technical personnel who meet established competency standards will ensure that every stage of non-timber forest product administration is carried out properly, transparently and accountably. This is an important foundation for achieving good forest governance,” Azis said.
Meanwhile, University of Palangka Raya academic Alpian said capacity building must be accompanied by the consistent application of competency standards in field operations.
“Competency does not end with theoretical knowledge. It must be demonstrated through accuracy, professionalism and integrity in every task. In this way, technical personnel can support the effective, legal and sustainable utilization of non-timber forest products,” Alpian said.
Through the capacity-building program, the Ministry of Forestry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening forestry human resources as a foundation for sustainable forest management.
Competent technical personnel are expected to accelerate policy implementation at the field level, optimize the sustainable utilization of non-timber forest products, improve the welfare of communities around forests and support more professional, accountable and competitive forest governance. (*)
