Aceh Drafts Customary Rules to Manage Forests and Mining
- 03 Jul 2026 13:12 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- The Wali Nanggroe institution has begun drafting a regulation on the management of forests, customary forests, and mining in Aceh to strengthen community-based natural resource governance.
- The proposed regulation aims to provide legal certainty for indigenous communities while protecting forests, biodiversity, and the long-term sustainability of natural resources.
RRI.CO.ID, Banda Aceh - The Wali Nanggroe institution of Aceh has begun drafting an initial regulation on the management of forests, customary forests, and mining in Aceh to strengthen community-based governance of natural resources.
The draft regulation was discussed during a coordination meeting and focus group discussion (FGD) held in the Keurukon Katibul Wali meeting room in Banda Aceh on Thursday, 2 July 2026. The forum brought together administration representatives, vertical agencies, academics, civil-society organizations, and legislators to discuss forest and mining governance in Aceh.
Head of Cooperation and Public Relations at the Wali Nanggroe institution, Zulfikar Idris, said the event was led by the Chairperson of the Majelis Tuha Lapan, Kamaruddin Andalah, who is part of the Majelis Syura Wali Nanggroe.
Kamaruddin Andalah described the regulatory drafting as a strategic step to strengthen natural resource governance in Aceh by positioning indigenous communities as central actors in managing forests and mining areas.
He said the regulation is expected to provide legal certainty for indigenous communities and serve as an instrument to protect forest areas, biodiversity, and the long-term sustainability of natural resources.
“This regulation has long been awaited by the community. Forest management must be able to deliver economic benefits to residents around forest areas without sacrificing environmental conservation. With good governance, the risk of disasters caused by forest degradation can also be minimized,” he said, as quoted by infopublik.id.
During discussions, FGD participants emphasized the importance of strengthening the role of customary institutions, mukim, and local communities as the frontline guardians of forest areas. The strengthening aims to enable them to utilize forest products sustainably and in accordance with prevailing laws.
Speaker of the Aceh Regional House of Representatives (DPRA) Commission VII, Ilmiza, expressed support for the drafting of the regulation. He said strong regulations are needed for forest and mining governance to prevent resource exploitation from causing environmental damage or social conflict.
He warned that weak oversight of forestry and mining sectors can trigger flooding, environmental degradation, and the loss of community livelihoods.
Ilmiza also flagged persistent illegal mining activity in several areas of Aceh, including Jantho in Aceh Besar Regency. He said such activity has changed river water quality from clear to cloudy and yellowish.
“This situation is a warning that natural resource management must be conducted responsibly. Strong rules accompanied by effective oversight are needed to prevent environmental damage,” he said. ***
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