Community Forests and REDD in Indonesia

KpSHK (Consortium for the support of Community Based Forest Management) has produced the following statement emphasising the importance of respecting local communities’ rights to land use and tenure in developing REDD in Indonesia.

Forest For People – Stabilizing the Climate

Indonesia’s proposal for financing forest conservation and protection under the scheme of Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), or in other words “carbon trading”, has now become a national issue. Many stakeholders are busily preparing structures and infrastructures, so that this climate change mitigation scheme, based on voluntary obligations and market based economic mechanisms relating to global “environmental services”, can be implemented smoothly. One thing is certain: This development will trigger new forestry policies.

However, these enthusiastically embraced activities neglect the basic principles of Indonesian forestry, especially the rights of the local people to community based (local or traditional) land use and tenure. The state claims sovereignty over the 143 million ha of Forest and Forest Area, leading to a large number of conflicts over land rights in these areas. On the other hand, the lives and existence of over 80 million Indonesians still depend on forests and forest resources.

For the sake of the democratisation of forest management in Indonesia and also for global climate justice, KpSHK (Consortium for the support of Community Based Forest Management) and all SHK groups (Community based Forest Management), together with participants from the civil society, pledge and call on all people of the world to demand the following from all stakeholders:

1. That local (traditional) communities be given priority and sovereignty over forest management in Indonesia;

2. To support the legal recognition of land use and land ownership rights over forests by local (traditional) communities;

3. That any national and international initiatives to reduce global warming and mitigate climate change which rely on forest ecology should be for the benefit of the local (traditional) communities.

4. That we together, side by side, participate in controlling the implementation of national and international initiatives for the reduction of global warming or climate change mitigation, so that these efforts will not be sacrificed to economic priorities;

5. That the citizens of industrial countries reduce their consumption of goods made from material from forests and forest lands in Indonesia.

With this “Forest for People” petition we express our hope for climate stabilisation. And we call on people all over the world to support “Forest for People” so that climate justice will be achieved.

Supported by:

1. SHK Community and Participant in 5 Big Islands of Indonesia
2. KpSHK-Bogor
3. Masyarakat Adat Tawana, Kecamatan Ulu Bongka, Kabupaten Touna
Pripinsi Sulteng
4. Komunitas Taragahar Tajomosan, Kecamatan Waigete, Kabupaten Sika, Propinsi NTT
5. Komunitas Aceh Rayeuk, Kecamatan Lhoong, Kabupaten Aceh Besar, Propinsi NAD
6. Komunitas Rinjani, Kecamatan Sembalun, Kabupaten Lombok Timur, Propinsi NTB
7. Komunitas Semende Marga Ulunosal, Kecamatan Nasal, Kabupaten Kaur, Propinsi Bengkulu
8. Komunitas Meratus, Kecamatan Batang Alai Timur, Kabupaten Hulu Sungai Tengah, Propinsi Kal Sel
9. Komunitas Rongkong, Kecamatan Limbong, Kabupaten Luwu Utara, Propinsi Sul Sel
10. Komunitas Masyarakat Adat Hoto’, Kecamatan Seko, Kabupaten Luwu Utara, Propinsi Sul Sel
11. Komunitas Erdas, Kecamatan Dusun Selatan, Kabupaten Barito Selatan, Propinsi Kalteng
12. Komunitas Gunung Betung, Kecamatan Padang Cermin, Kabupaten Lampung Selatan, Propinsi Bandar Lampung
13. Komunitas KTHR Sekar Pijer, Kecamatan Panggang, Kabupaten Gunung Kidul, Propinsi DI Yogyakarta
14. Komunitas DAS Tondano, Kabupaten Minahasa, Propinsi Sulawesi Utara
15. Komunitas Rengganis, Kecamatan Panti, Kabupaten Jember, Propinsi Jawa Timur
16. Komunitas Cirewed, Kecamatan Sukajaya, Kabupaten Bogor, Propinsi Jawa Barat
17. Komunitas Dayak Kutai Barat, Kabupaten Kutai Barat, Propinsi Kalimantan Timur
18. Komunitas Masyarakat Adat Lodang, Kecamatan Seko, Kabupaten Luwu Utara, Propinsi Sul Sel
19. Komunitas Rawa Taman Mahap, Menterap, Skadau, Kalimantan Barat
20. Komunitas Adat Talang Mamak, Riau