Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Minister of Forestry is accelerating the recognition of customary forest status. This acceleration is being implemented through the issuance of a Decree on the Establishment of a Task Force for the Acceleration of Customary Forest Status Recognition, Decree Number 144 of 2025.
According to the decree, the Task Force consists of an Advisory Board, a National Secretariat, and Expert Staff. The Advisory Board is responsible for providing guidance to the National Secretariat, which operates under the Secretary of the Advisory Board Team, in carrying out follow-ups on the progress review results of customary forest status recognition submitted to the Minister of Forestry.
The National Secretariat has four main duties. First, to collect data and information related to requests for customary forest status recognition. Second, to conduct mapping and assessment of areas with potential for customary forest designation. Third, to identify and facilitate local regulations, both regulatory and recognition-based, concerning Indigenous Law Communities. Fourth, to support and facilitate the acceleration of customary forest status recognition.
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni, during a halal bihalal gathering with ambassadors and all partners of the Ministry of Forestry, also reaffirmed this commitment. According to Raja Juli, the Ministry is focusing on implementing multi-business forestry practices. This aims to unlock the potential of forest areas through sustainable utilization, to empower forest communities and boost the local economy.
“We want to move beyond traditional forestry practices to unlock the full potential of forest areas through sustainable utilization — such as ecotourism, non-timber forest products, environmental services, and agroforestry — while maintaining ecological balance and respecting social values,” he stated.
