Jakarta, July 23, 2025. Coinciding with National Children's Day today, the Knasaimos indigenous community officially submitted an application for the designation and management of a customary forest through the customary forest scheme within the social forestry program managed by the Ministry of Forestry. Wearing traditional attire, representatives of the Knasaimos community from South Sorong, Southwest Papua, arrived at the Manggala Wanabakti building in Jakarta to submit the application documents to the Director of Tenurial Conflict Management and Customary Forests (PKTHA), Julmansyah. The Indigenous Law Community Committee, along with representatives from Bentara Papua and Greenpeace Indonesia, also participated in the submission.

This step follows the recognition of the Knasaimos indigenous community's customary land rights covering 97,441.55 hectares, which they have obtained from the 97,441.55 hectares of land in South Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua Province. By formally applying for customary forest management, the indigenous community hopes to strengthen protection of their forest while preserving the values of local wisdom that have sustained the area for generations.

The choice of July 23rd is significant. This date coincides with National Children's Day and symbolizes that the customary forest proposal represents a concrete commitment to protecting the future of Papuan children, particularly those in the Knasaimos customary territory.

"We want the world to know that this struggle is not just for today's generation, but for our children who will inherit this land and forest. Protecting customary forests means protecting their living space, identity, and hopes for the future," said Fredrik Sagisolo, Chair of the Knasaimos Indigenous Peoples' Federation Council.

This powerful message from the indigenous community representatives illustrates the depth of their commitment to the future of future generations. Responding to the request for customary forest designation, Julmansyah, Director of Tenurial Conflict Management and Customary Forests (PKTHA), stated that he received the application and would study it. "Studying about Indonesia shouldn't be viewed through a single lens. For those of us living in Java, forests may be seen as a place for cultivation or conservation. For Papuans, customary forests are their mother, providing a livelihood from birth to death," said Julmansyah.

 The indigenous Papuan tribe, the Tehit Tribe, from the Knasaimos Region in South Sorong, Southwest Papua, went to Jakarta to submit a statement recognizing their forest as customary forest to the Ministry of Forestry.

Syafril from Bentara Papua responded, "This is a crucial moment in the history of the struggle of indigenous peoples in Papua, particularly in the Knasaimos customary territory. Hopefully, this process will run smoothly and serve as an example for other customary territories that customary-based management is the path to true sustainability. With official recognition, we hope that indigenous people can continue to protect their forests from external threats, while developing environmentally friendly, culture-based management models that support future generations."

The Knasaimos indigenous people have been fighting for more than two decades to defend their customary lands and forests from the threat of exploitation by the palm oil industry and logging. Their persistence culminated in the issuance of a decree establishing village forests from the Ministry of Forestry and Environment in 2016. Eight years later, last year, the Knasaimos community received recognition as a customary territory from the Regent of South Sorong.

 The indigenous Papuan tribe, the Tehit Tribe, from the Knasaimos Region in South Sorong, Southwest Papua, went to Jakarta to submit a statement recognizing their forest as customary forest to the Ministry of Forestry.

"In line with the Knasaimos indigenous people's struggle, we continue to urge the government to immediately ratify the Indigenous Peoples Bill. We need a strong legal framework to ensure the fulfillment and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples—who, through their way of life, make a vital contribution to maintaining ecosystems. Indigenous peoples and customary forests are inseparable entities, both playing a crucial role in protecting the Earth from the threat of the climate crisis," said Rossy You, Papua Forest Campaigner for Greenpeace Indonesia.

The application for customary forest designation has been officially submitted to the Ministry of Forestry and is currently awaiting verification and follow-up from the government. The MHA Committee team, along with supporting organizations, will continue to monitor the process until the decree on customary forest management is issued as a form of legal protection for indigenous peoples. The struggle of indigenous peoples is not something that stops today, but rather an ongoing process that requires support from various parties.*

Media Contact:

Syafril, Bentara Papua, +62 821-9839-2546

Budiarti Putri, Greenpeace Indonesia, +62 811-1463-105