inp.polri.go.id - Sorong. The Raja Ampat government, has asked the central government to review the limitation of forest management authority as part of efforts to preserve nature and realize the welfare of the people in the region.

Raja Ampat Regent Orideko Burdam explained that Raja Ampat Regency, which consists of 117 villages and 24 districts, has extraordinary natural wealth such as forests and seas that can be utilized to realize the welfare of the people.

"We have vast seas and forests, then tourism potential that has been famous and even received the Geopark predicate from Unesco," Orideko said in Sorong, Saturday (5/31/2025).

However, he said, there are limitations on the authority of the central government to the Raja Ampat Regency Government in managing the natural wealth in Raja Ampat.

In fact, the authority to grant and terminate nickel mining permits comes from Jakarta, so that the regional government has difficulty intervening in mining that is suspected of damaging and polluting the existing forest and ecosystem.

"97 percent of Raja Ampat is a conservation area, so when there is a problem of environmental pollution due to mining activities, we cannot do anything, because our authority is limited," he said.

The current restrictions on forest management authority have caused difficulties for local communities in accessing and managing forest resources. This has an impact on community welfare and nature conservation efforts.

"This forest not only functions as a buffer for the lives of local communities, but also as a habitat for various endemic and rare species," he said.

He considered that when the authority only came from Jakarta, the government and the people of Raja Ampat were only spectators of the existing natural wealth.

"The question is, what is the purpose of the Special Autonomy Law (Otsus). I think Otsus is here to provide us with the freedom to manage and utilize existing potential without intervention from other parties," he said.

The Raja Ampat government hopes that by reviewing the restrictions on forest management authority, the central government can provide opportunities for local communities to be more involved in forest management and improve their welfare.

(ad/inp/pr/rs)