inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, emphasized the government's commitment to realizing sustainable development that favors the community and nature. One way is through the target of increasing the management of 70,000 hectares of Customary Forest by indigenous legal communities, for this year.
"We are focusing on improving the people's economy and creating jobs, as well as to align a harmonious life with the environment, forests, and culture, including through Social Forestry," he said on Tuesday (9/30/2025).
One of the Social Forestry schemes is Customary Forest, which is a form of recognition of local wisdom and traditional knowledge of indigenous legal communities. Customary forests have been designated as covering 334,092 hectares through 161 Decrees in the 2016–2025 period.
"And this is spread across 19 provinces and 42 districts. This year I am targeting the designation of 70,000 hectares of customary forests," he explained.
To expedite the designation of customary forests, the Minister of Forestry established a Customary Forest Task Force in March 2025. This was done to ensure that unresolved territorial conflicts could be resolved.
"Perhaps 70,000 hectares can be designated this year. I certainly hope this is a small victory to share with the world and strengthen our commitment," he explained.
He further explained that the TERRA for Customary Forest (TERRA-CF) project is a form of multi-stakeholder collaboration that needs to be replicated and even expanded. The TERRA-CF project involves the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Finance through the Environmental Fund Management Agency.
Collaboration with CLUA as a development partner, and 18 civil society organizations is also carried out. TERRA-CF was launched in 2023 and has disbursed more than IDR 14.8 billion to 107 Customary Law Communities (MHA) in 15 provinces.
The President Director of BPDLH, Joko Tri Haryanto, emphasized that TERRA-CF's success stems from the collaboration of various parties.
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