Enviro News Asia, Manokwari – Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry is strengthening sustainable forest management in the Papua region by enhancing technical guidance, institutional support, and collaboration with forest concession holders, local governments, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders.
The initiative was highlighted through the active participation of the Regional Sustainable Forest Management Center (BPHL) Region XVIII Manokwari in a Technical Training Program on Community-Based Sustainable Forest Product Processing for Indigenous Peoples, organized by the West Papua Provincial Forestry Office on July 29–30 in Manokwari.
During the program, Ikhwanul Ikhsan, Head of the Assessment, Testing, and Administration Section for Sustainable Forest Products at BPHL Region XVIII Manokwari, delivered a presentation on measurement and testing techniques for timber forest products and non-timber forest products (NTFPs).
He explained that mastering standardized measurement and testing methods is fundamental to ensuring transparent, accountable, and sustainable forest product governance. Proper technical standards help guarantee product quality, quantity, and legality while improving the competitiveness of Indonesia’s forestry products in domestic and international markets.
In addition to timber products, the training also covered the identification, measurement, and testing of various non-timber forest products, providing participants with the technical knowledge needed to promote sustainable utilization while increasing economic opportunities for Indigenous communities living around forest areas.
“The application of standardized forest product measurement and testing is not merely an administrative requirement but an essential instrument for ensuring legality, product quality, and sustainable forest management. Strengthening technical competencies will enable Indigenous communities and forestry business operators to optimize forest resources responsibly while generating economic benefits without compromising forest conservation,” Ikhwanul said.
Acting Head of the Sustainable Production Forest Management Division at the West Papua Provincial Forestry Office, Johny SN Asmuruf, said the technical training reflects the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of local communities and forestry stakeholders to manage forest resources professionally and sustainably.
“Sustainable forest management requires collaboration among all stakeholders. Through this training, we expect participants to acquire practical technical skills that can be directly applied in the field, enabling both timber and non-timber forest products to be managed legally, efficiently, and sustainably while improving the welfare of Indigenous communities and protecting Papua’s forests,” Johny said.
The training featured interactive discussions covering technical standards for forest product measurement, quality testing procedures, and their practical application in supporting Indigenous community-based forestry enterprises.
The high level of participant engagement highlighted the growing demand for technical capacity building in sustainable forest product management across Papua.
Separately, Muchksin, Head of BPHL Region XVIII Manokwari, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to strengthening its advisory and mentoring role for all forestry stakeholders.
“BPHL Region XVIII Manokwari is committed to serving as a strategic partner for local governments, Indigenous communities, and forestry businesses by enhancing technical capacity and ensuring that every stage of forest product utilization complies with the principles of legality, sustainability, and conservation. Such collaboration forms the foundation of sustainable forest management in Papua,” Muchksin said.
Through the program, BPHL Region XVIII Manokwari expects participants to strengthen their technical competencies in forest product management, improve the implementation of standardized measurement and testing procedures, and maximize the sustainable utilization of both timber and non-timber forest products within Indigenous community-based forestry systems.
The initiative aligns with Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni’s policy direction, which emphasizes that Indonesia’s forest management should not only focus on ecosystem conservation but also on improving community welfare through responsible and sustainable utilization of forest resources. Strengthening technical expertise, expanding support for Indigenous communities, and reinforcing legal and sustainable forestry practices remain key priorities in advancing a professional, inclusive, and globally competitive forestry sector. (*)
