Affirm the Role of Indigenous Peoples WGII Supports Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation

JAKARTA. In a talk show commemorating the 2025 World Environment Day themed "Uniting Steps for Biodiversity: In Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development," organized by the Ministry of Environment, Cindy Julianty, Program Manager of the Working Group ICCAs Indonesia (WGII), emphasized the importance of recognizing and strengthening conservation practices based on the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples in Indonesia.

Cindy Julianty stated that WGII has been documenting conservation practices by indigenous peoples, referred to by WGII as ICCA. These ICCA practices include the management and utilization of forest areas by indigenous peoples based on ecological, spiritual, and socio-cultural functions. This practice includes the management and utilization of forest areas based on ecological, spiritual, and socio-cultural functions that live within the community's traditions. To date, the documented area is still limited compared to the potential estimated to reach 23 million hectares. The forms of conservation carried out are diverse, not only focusing on one species but also encompassing the sustainable use of biodiversity.

WGII also encourages the scientific process of traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples in biodiversity conservation. This is done by linking traditional practices with modern scientific approaches.

For indigenous peoples, some forest areas are considered sacred or revered because, from a scientific approach, these places are preserved with the intention and purpose of maintaining the area, for example, as a source of water or as locations of sacred sites, said Cindy.

Furthermore, WGII conducts an analysis of the ecological significance of indigenous conservation areas. The results show that various types of birds, including endemic species of Indonesia and those with conservation status according to the IUCN, are found in ICCAs. The traditional knowledge underlying the management of these areas is diverse, interconnected, and reflects the close relationship between humans, nature, and culture.

However, Cindy also highlighted serious challenges in documenting these practices. She stated that the sustainability of traditional knowledge and practices is increasingly threatened, partly due to the lack of regulations that explicitly recognize and protect the rights of indigenous peoples. On the other hand, existing regulations tend to be difficult for communities to understand, while related sectors have not fully been able to bridge this understanding in the field. Hierarchical policies from the community level to the central level with long and layered processes also pose their own challenges in ensuring the protection of community-managed areas.

Nevertheless, Cindy sees this challenge as an opportunity. This challenge actually becomes an opportunity for us to encourage Indonesia to emerge as a champion in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), while also accelerating the enactment of laws recognizing indigenous peoples, said Cindy.

WGII has a mission to promote conservation practices by indigenous peoples, which is ancestral knowledge or rooted in ancestors, knowledge that existed long before the formation of current biodiversity conservation policies in the world. WGII also encourages these practices to not only be recognized but also respected as an important part of the national conservation strategy.

The talk show held at the Kenari Room, Assembly Hall Jakarta International Convention Center on Monday, June 23, 2025, also served as a platform for various non-governmental organizations to share contributions in biodiversity preservation. As a mega-biodiversity country, Indonesia is not only rich in flora and fauna but also in cultures that coexist with nature.

DevinDewantara/AN