Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) has brought together central and regional government officials to strengthen environmental management policies and address implementation challenges at the local level.
The Strategic Forum on Central and Regional Synergy in Environmental Management was held at the KLH/BPLH office in Jakarta on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The meeting brought together gubernatorial expert staff, regional environmental agency heads, and senior ministry officials to develop concrete follow-up measures.
Hanifah Dwi Nirwana, Expert Staff to the Minister for Central-Regional Institutional Relations at KLH/BPLH, opened the forum by emphasizing the importance of coordinating national policies with regional priorities. She highlighted the role of gubernatorial expert staff in integrating central government policies into regional decision-making and overcoming communication barriers between local administrations and the ministry’s technical units.
Hanifah said regional environmental agencies were responsible for ensuring that policies were implemented effectively, while gubernatorial advisers helped connect policy decisions with practical action.
The forum also discussed the importance of establishing Regional Environmental Protection and Management Plans (RPPLH) as ecological guidelines for regional development. These plans are intended to help curb environmental degradation and support more sustainable planning.
Participants also examined ways to optimize environmental services payments, known in Indonesia as Imbal Jasa Lingkungan (IJL). The approach seeks to translate the ecological value of natural resources and ecosystem services into economic incentives that encourage environmental protection.
Regional Governments Highlight Key Challenges
During an interactive discussion, representatives from Southeast Sulawesi Province raised concerns about the bureaucratic complexity of environmental impact assessments (Amdal) for major projects, including land reclamation involving multiple ministries. They proposed incentive mechanisms, such as the Regional Incentive Fund (Dana Insentif Daerah, or DID), to encourage stronger environmental performance.
Representatives from Central Java Province highlighted challenges in managing municipal waste, particularly limited regional budget allocations and technical regulatory constraints that complicate implementation at the local level.
In response, KLH/BPLH outlined potential solutions, including sharing best practices from the Banjarbakula regional waste-disposal facility in South Kalimantan, which operates through a regional-owned enterprise (BUMD). The ministry also committed to integrating regional reporting systems to strengthen coordination and ensure that local concerns receive appropriate follow-up.
Turning Reports into Measurable Results
Closing the forum, Hanifah emphasized that environmental quality would not improve without effective coordination between central and regional governments.
She urged participants to ensure that the instruments, data, and recommendations discussed during the meeting translated into tangible improvements rather than remaining administrative reports.
The forum underscored the need for stronger institutional connections, coordinated policymaking, and practical implementation to address environmental challenges across Indonesia.
Through closer cooperation between national and local authorities, KLH/BPLH aims to improve policy implementation, overcome regional constraints, and deliver measurable progress in environmental protection and management. (*)
