STRATEGY IN DEVELOPING GREEN ECONOMY IN PAPUA AND WEST PAPUA

STRATEGY IN DEVELoPING GREEN ECONOMY  IN PAPUA AND WEST PAPUA

The latest Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) report conveys that the economic structure of Papua and West Papua is largely dependent on natural resources such as the mining and quarrying, agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors.Compared to the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors, the mining and quarrying sector still has the largest share in the economy of Papua and West Papua. This trend can be a threat to the existing ecosystem if the mining and quarrying sector continues to expand. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a green economy to achieve sustainable economic growth. The great potential of the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors in the provinces of Papua and West Papua can encourage green growth in both provinces.

Green economy development is an economic activity, which can improve welfare and social justice, while also being able to eliminate the negative impact of economic growth on the environment and natural resources.As quoted from deskpapua.bappenas.go.id, the provinces of Papua and West Papua have large forest areas with relatively intact land coverings. Forestry resources still show high potential to further develop added value from production of forest products.
In addition,indigenous Papuans are highly dependent on the forest for their daily needs.

There are 28 percent of villages in the protected areas which are safe guarded by community rights to manage their natural assets. Meanwhile, 72 percent of villages outside the protected areas (cultivated areas) are exposed to the risk of losing the right to manage their natural assets and the right to determine the use of their customary rights.

Another potential in terms of natural resources is the vast peat lands in Papua Province. In this case, comprehensive knowledge of peat lands is required,which plays a key role in water management. The clearing of peat lands has the potential to cause carbon emissions that will affect the increase in the earth’st emperature. Provisions to prohibit land clearing on peat lands must be strictly complied with to prevent environmental damage.

A number of these opportunities need to be recognized and acted upon to achieve effective green growth. Natural resources play an important role because they meet the needs of people at local, national and global levels, as producers of environmental products and services.

Challenges

In general, the problems faced by the provinces of Papua and West Papua are related to the management of natural resources and the environment, among others: the fulfillment of requirements in regional development, especially in the era of regional autonomy which increasingly triggers rapid exploitation of natural resources that ignores environmental aspects; lack of knowledge and technology on environmentally friendly measures in using natural resources; the lack of access of indigenous Papuans to nature, while they are accustomed to living in harmony with nature to meet their basic daily needs; and the lack of human resources who have the ability