Aim

The Crown Jewel of Papua (CJP) is an integrated landscape initiative led by the provincial government to manage an area spanning 2.3 million hectares across West Papua and Southwest Papua province. The aim of CJP is to preserve nature and biodiversity, harness natural resources, while improving the well-being of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC) in the region through promoting sustainable economic development, recognising rights and protecting culture and local wisdom.    

 

Where

West Papua and Southwest Papua Province 

 

Mengapa

CJP is a new approach in landscape management, covering a large, heterogenous area in one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots. 90% of forest cover within CJP is classified as primary rainforest, it is rich in endemic species and encompasses several distinct ecosystems ranging from high mountains such as Mount Arfak (2,940m), montane forest to mangroves. The forest is home to 250 plus indigenous communities, including the Hatam, Moiley, Meyakh, Sough, Mpur, and Meyah tribes.  

The West Papuan Provincial Government is dedicated to protecting its natural assets while reducing poverty for local communities. In 2015, West Papua declared itself a Provinsi Konservasi (Conservation Province), and in 2018 signed the landmark Manokwari Declaration, pledging to extend the protected area status to a minimum 70% of the land.  

Furthermore, as a follow up, the West Papua Governor announced the creation of the 2.3 million hectares CJP protected area. In 2021, the provincial government began the administrative process to designate CJP as a Provincial Strategic Area (KSP) which creates the legal boundaries of CJP.  

Currently, 960,000 ha of CJP are formally protected as ‘Conservation Forest’ (Hutan Konservasi) and recognized by the IUCN, and 280.000 ha are classified as Sustainable Use Zone (KPB). Many other areas remain under threat due to external economic drivers that promote deforestation, and in many cases, the rights of indigenous people have yet to be recognized.  

 

What We Do

Effectively managing an area of this size requires a strong network of various stakeholders, including the national and local government, local communities, NGOs/CSOs, universities, private sector, and donors.

WRI Indonesia is part of the CJP consortium that was formed as a collaboration platform for the implementation of activities in the CJP program. In close collaboration with other consortium members, WRI Indonesia through its office in regional Papua works closely with the local government, the Regional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA) and other relevant departments to provide support and advice on the following:

  • Strengthening governance and effective collaboration of local governments, CSOs and other stakeholders
  • Supporting the socialisation of CJP at provincial, district and community level
  • Supporting the recognition and empowerment of IPLC and preserving local wisdom, at local level as well as national level through Social Forestry schemes that facilitate community-based management in forest areas
  • Delivering high quality research, data and knowledge to inform development plans and courses of action within CJP, including sustainable financing schemes 

 

Partners