RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry is encouraging the recognition and protection of customary forests through joint governance agreements between Customary Law Communities (MHA) and Forest Utilization Business Permit (PBPH) holders.

This initiative was realized through the signing of a Customary Forest Governance Agreement between the Punan Batu Benau Sajau customary law community in North Kalimantan and three companies. The agreement seeks to resolve overlaps between proposed customary forest areas and PBPH concessions, providing legal certainty for both indigenous communities and businesses.

Director General of Social Forestry at the Ministry of Forestry, Catur Endah Prasetiani, said the model prioritizes mutual recognition and co‑management principles in jointly managing forest areas.

“Mutual recognition and co‑management will provide legal and business certainty and ensure fair forest management, leaving no one behind in handling customary forests,” Catur said on Friday, July 31, 2026.

She added that this collaborative approach is an innovation by the Directorate General of Social Forestry to inclusively address customary forest issues. A similar model has also been applied in Jambi Province.

As of July 2026, the government has designated 368,877 hectares of customary forests for 174 indigenous communities, granting management rights to 92,955 households. Between October 2024 and July 2026, 36,372 hectares were designated for 18 communities, benefiting 9,676 households.

To accelerate progress, the ministry issued Decree No. 440/2026 on the Road Map for Accelerating the Recognition and Determination of Customary Forests 2025–2029, targeting 1.4 million hectares by 2029. A Task Force for Accelerating Customary Forest Recognition was also formed under Decree No. 121/2026.

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni emphasized that accelerating the recognition of customary forests is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen the role of indigenous communities as forest guardians while supporting climate change mitigation. (Misni Parjiati)