Jakarta (Greeners) – Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya admits forest and environmental spatial planning under registered forestry pattern has yet to improve people’s welfare, especially those living near or inside forest areas.
Minister Siti underlines that President Joko Widodo had firmly stated that corrective actions and working together in forest management to achieve common benefits and prosper to the people.
She cited the first indigenous forest acknowledged by President in the Palace on December 30, 2016, after 71 years of Independence.
READ ALSO: President Widodo Urges Major Correction and Breakthrough on Forest Management
“It has been 72 years of independence, forest management under registered forestry pattern to spatial planning, (I suppose) has yet to improve people’s welfare. The President had underlined for corrective actions in overall forest management so that forest and environment can be the source for people to be prosperous,” said Minister Siti in Jakarta, on Wednesday (16/8).
Nine indigenous communities received the letter of acknowledgement are Serampas tribe for 130 ha of Rantau Kermas Village Customary Forest, Merangin district of Jambi province, Ammatoa Kajang indigenous community for 313 ha of Ammatoa Kajang Customary Forest, Bulukumba district of South Sulawesi province, Lipu Wana Posangke indigenous community for 6,212 ha of Wana Posangke Customary Forest in North Morowali district of Central Sulawesi province, Kasepuhan Karang indigenous community for 486 ha of Kasepuhan Karang Customary Forest in Lebak district of Banten province, Air Terjun indigenous community for 39 ha of Bukit Sembahyang Customary Forest in Kerinci district of Jambi province, Suangai Deras indigenous community for 41 ha of Bukit Tinggi Customary Forest in Kerinci district of Jambi province, Tigo Luhah Permenti indigenous community for 252 ha of Tigo Luhah Permenti Customary Forest in Kerinci district of Jambi province, Tigo Luhah Kemantan indigenous community for 452 ha of Tigo Luhah Kemantan in Kerinci district of Jambi province, and Pandumaan Sipituhuta indigenous community for 5,172 ha of Pandumaan Sipituhuta Customary Forest in Humbang Hasudutan, North Sumatra province.
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Furthermore, she said corrective actions included peatland management and implementation of social forestry which have been giving space access for people to work and produce economically to improve their welfare.
However, she underlined that all programs would run with participation from all parties and willingness to work together.
“They all need togetherness and working together. I am reaching out to you all, from all parts of communities and invite you all to participate to do corrective actions, to fill the independence in reaching national goals and achieving national dreams,” she added.
Reports by Danny Kosasih
22 Des 2023 
