Jakarta — Indonesia has accelerated the formal recognition of customary forests, with 174 units covering about 368,877 hectares designated as of April 2026, benefiting an estimated 92,955 households from indigenous communities, the Ministry of Forestry said on Thursday, April 30.
The progress forms part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen the rights of indigenous peoples and promote sustainable forest management. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, who chaired a task force meeting alongside Deputy Minister Rohmat Marzuki, said the government aims to accelerate recognition toward a target of 1.4 million hectares of customary forests.
According to the task force, the latest figures build on 2025 achievements, when 162 customary forest units spanning 354,608 hectares were approved. In 2026, an additional 12 units covering 14,269 hectares have been designated so far.
To speed up the process, the government has strengthened its policy and institutional framework, including the establishment of a dedicated task force under a 2025 ministerial decree and the development of a 2025–2029 roadmap. Standardised verification guidelines are also being prepared to improve consistency and accountability, while local governments are being supported in issuing legal recognition for indigenous communities.
Verification efforts are ongoing across multiple regions, including Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua. In the near term, the government plans to issue 34 additional decrees covering about 72,522 hectares, benefiting more than 11,000 households.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. The ministry noted that 123 proposals covering roughly 2.5 million hectares across 21 provinces still require documentation, mapping, and local legal backing. Overlapping land use claims with existing concessions and conservation areas also continue to complicate the process.
To address these issues, the government is promoting approaches such as mutual recognition, co-management, and shared benefit schemes. It has also set phased targets to facilitate recognition of indigenous communities through 2029, aiming to process 30 units in 2026 and 31 units annually from 2027 to 2029.
The ministry said accelerating customary forest designation is key to reducing land tenure conflicts, strengthening indigenous rights, and advancing equitable and sustainable forest governance in Indonesia. (nsh)
Banner photo: Ministry of Forestry
