Physical Environment, Population Parameter, and Morphometric Records Morphometric of the Monitor Lizard in Papua

Many studies have explored animals without providing its physical environment, whereas, this information can provide broad understanding for the importance of ecological components. This study tried to combine some studies on how importance the ecological means on the density and population as well as morphometric of the monitor lizards. Data was analysed using SPSS version 18.0 and presented descriptively using tables and graphics. Results show that density and population had association with wide areas of islands and distances from mainland. Morphometric as well had association with carrying capacity and richness of feeding

Oil Palm Plantations, Forest Conservation and Indigenous Peoples in West Papua Province: What Lies Ahead?

Oil palm plantations are currently expanding to the eastern part of Indonesia, especially in West Papua province. Many oil palm permits issued in West Papua occupy intact biodiversity-rich forest areas which have essential value for indigenous Papuans' socio-cultural life. This article discusses expansion of oil palm plantations in West Papua province, and its impacts on forests and indigenous people. It also assesses whether the plantations fit the Special Autonomy Law and Sustainable Development Regulation goals of the province. In general, plantations are being established in forest areas, and further planned expansion threatens intact and biodiversity-rich forests. In addition, plantation development rarely considers the socio-cultural issues of indigenous Papuans. As a result, customary rights and institutions are commonly overlooked, undermined, or violated. Oil palm plantations are not necessarily compatible with sustainable development regulation goals, and need to reconcile its overall economic and conservation agenda.

The Sausapor Declaration: Challenges in promoting good governance to protect customary communities and natural resources in Tambrauw district, West Papua

The Sausapor Declaration has served as a stepping stone towards convening and balancing the dynamics of governmental politics, conservation efforts, the protection of customary communities’ rights, and the sustainable management of natural resources in Tambrauw District. The Declaration supported the establishment of Tambrauw as a Conservation District, while also acknowledging the rights of customary communities in shaping political priorities of the local government, which include: a) stewardship of extensive remaining tropical forests (91.9% forest cover); b) management of protected areas, which represent 77-80% of the total area of the District; c) acknowledging the cultural traditions of five major indigenous groups; and, d) securing the active support of formal institutions for these goals. Two stages have shaped the effort to establish the Conservation District.  The first stage involved the period prior to the formal declaration, while the second ecompasses development and implementation of related policies.  Establishing local regulations and protecting local communities required extensive lobbying with the provincial and national government, as well as advocacy in various seminars, including both national and international conferences that provided strategic opportunities for securing support for the Conservation District. These steps have been instrumental in gaining legitimacy and public support for relevant conservation policies and for protecting the rights of customary communities. As one example, the review of Tambrauw spatial planning documents  (RTRW) led to prioritizing eco-tourism as a leading sector for economic development, along with the creation of an overall agropolitan and renewable energy strategy

Conservation Policy, Indigeneity, and Changing Traditional Hunting Practices in West Papua

Regional governments are increasingly developing conservation policy initiatives that are framed alongside the empowerment of Indigenous Peoples. This paper examines the case of Tambrauw, West Papua, that set out to establish one of the first ever Conservation Regencies in Indonesia. To understand the implications of conservation policy developments, we explored from an environmental justice perspective the ways that one of the most important forest-based activities of local communities – hunting – has changed in recent years. Data was collected using qualitative methods of participatory observation and interviews between 2015-2018 across three Tambrauw districts. The study shows how policy changes are increasing clashes between local hunters and conservation officials. This has implications for broader issues of conservation policy and local livelihoods, and sheds light on the more recent trend of foregrounding Indigenous identity in forest management. Although on the face of it the emergence of conservation regencies represents a trend in downscaling authority to empower local communities, findings shows that place-based and more locally responsive policies need to be established to address emerging conflicts that can also meet broader conservation outcomes

Customary Forests in West Papua: Contestation of Desires or Needs?

The challenge of integrating ecological, economic and social aspects of forest management is still a critical issue among stakeholders who agree on community-based forestry and the rights of indigenous peoples. In West Papua, the contrast of abundant natural resources with serious social inequalities and structured poverty is a continuing challenge for implementing a social forestry program. The process of establishing customary territories in West Papua is an important milestone in recognising its community entities. Is this scheme definitively able to answer the interests of access and management of indigenous peoples? This can help in achieving the sacred goal of protecting 70% of the forest area. This paper examines the dynamics of forest management in West Papua by the parties in customary forests. The low area designated for customary territories in West Papua, which has only reached 2,554.2 hectares, and the absence of a decree on the existence of customary forests is a form of injustice to the interests of local communities. The social forestry acceleration program intended to end the uncertainty surrounding customary forests is still in process. The roles of both on-site and off-site parties have not been optimal in realising customary forests in West Papua due to the complex and incomplete translation process at the site level. The results of the review show that interest is still focused on achieving an indicative-annual figure, which is still dominated by the village forest scheme. Hopefully, this year's acceleration of customary forests will become a milestone in West Papua, based on mutual need and desire

Ethnobotany and conservation applications in the Noken making by the Sougb Tribe of West Papua, Indonesia

Documenting local ecological knowledge is critical for understanding complex ecological-cultural interactions to protect indigenous community entities. Woven baskets known as Noken have been part of Papuan indigenous culture for centuries, yet ethnobotanical aspects of Noken making remain poorly understood. Hence, this study describes Noken-making from an ethnobotanical perspective. We acquired ethnoecological knowledge by interviewing respondents who were actively involved in the production of Noken. The results revealed that the Sougb Tribe (from South Manokwari District, West Papua, Indonesia) utilized pineapple as a primary material for weaving and other natural materials as dyes, with this process undertaken mainly by women. We also document the Sougb Tribe's adaptation and continuous interaction with their dynamic environment that has evolved during Noken's making. Moreover, the recommendation to conserve Noken preserves biocultural diversity and habitats for key plant species. Since Noken has played an essential part in shaping the Sougb Tribe's cultural identity, conserving the use of Noken will aid in preserving the habitats of plants used as materials for Noken. In the future, the provincial government should assist habitat biocultural conservation by granting tribes customary forest status to facilitate plant habitat protection in line with the sustainable development agenda of West Papua Province

Pemanfaatan Jenis Tumbuhan Sebagai Obat Tradisional Berbasis Ethnomedical Knowledge Pada Masyarakat Suku Mandobo

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui jenis-jenis tumbuhan yang dimanfaatkan sebagai sumber alternatif obat berbasis pengetahuan lokal masyarakat suku Mandobo di Kampung Sokanggo. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode desktiptif dengan teknik wawancara kepada responden yang dipilih. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ketergantungan masyarakat terhadap tumbuhan obat cukup tinggi dengan dimanfatakannya 25 jenis tumbuhan dari 20 famili yang meliputi jenis rumput, perdu, liana dan pohon. Famili yang sering dimanfaatkan antara lain Zingiberaceae, Moraceae, Lamiacea. Bagian daun menjadi bagian utama dari tumbuhan yang sering dimanfaatkan yakni sebanyak 12 spesies. Sementara cara pengolahan yang umum digunakan adalah melalui perebusan. Proses pemanfaatan tumbuhan hutan dalam komunitas masyarakat suku Sokanggo sangat efektif dalam menyembuhkan penyakit-penyakit umum yang diderita di dalam komunitas mereka.&nbsp

CORAK BUDIDAYA JENIS AVIFAUNA OLEH MASYARAKAT KOTA MANOKWARI DI PAPUA BARAT, INDONESIA

Masyarakat masih memanfaatkan jenis-jenis avifauna secara berlebihan. Teknik budidaya dari jenis avifauna dan bagaimana pemanfaatannya, merupakan focus dari kajian ini. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode deskriptif dengan teknik survei. Pengambilan sampel secara acak menggunakan metode wawancara dan observasi. Sebanyak 10 kepala keluarga sebagai responden dipilih dari masyarakat yang memiliki hobi memelihara satwa liar di kota Manokwari. Obyek pengamatan adalah proses domestikasi informasi dasar memelihara satwaliar di kota Manokwari. Obyek pengamatan adalah proses domestikasi informasi burung yang dipelihara, kegiatan berburu pemanfaatan avifauna, sistim perkandangan, makanan, tanda-tanda estrus, penyakit dan pencegahan dan aspek sosial ekonomi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa umur pemelihara untuk kelompok hewan avifauna didominasi oleh kelompok umur 22-44 tahun. Pekerjaaan para pemelihara satwa avifauna di Manokwari didominasi oleh ASN dan TNI/Polri sebanyak 2 orang diikuti oleh kelompok wiraswasta, pelajar dan petani sebanyak 10%. Pemelihara memiliki pendidikan sekolah menengah atas (50%), diikuti oleh sekolah menengah pertama (40%) dan perguruan tinggi (10%). Jenis avifauna yang dibudidaya adalah nuri, kakatua, cenderawasih, mambruk, rangkok, elang dan kasuari. Mambruk dan kasuri mulai terasan sulit ditemukan yang dikategorikan statusnya menjadi near threatened dan least concern. Bahan kandang yang digunakan sebagai dinding kandang adalah berupa kayu (100%), atap kandang terbuat dari seng (100%), serta lantai kandang yang digunakan bervariasi yaitu bambu, kayu, semen dan besi beton. Satwa avifauna diperoleh dengan cara di beli dan berburu. Pemanfaatan avifauna meliputi pemeliharaan hewan kesayangan, hiasan dan konsumsi. Penjinakkan dilakukan dengan memandikan hewan, diberikan makanan (sisa dapur), memberikan air liur dan juga dengan meletakkan hewan tersebut di dalam kandang. Lama waktu menjinakkan adalah 4.8 bulan (1-24 bulan). Masyarakat menjadikan avifauna sebagai hewan hiburan dana tau hiasan yang memiliki nilai estetika