Synergy to Support Sustainable Natural Resource Management in Southwest Papua Province

To support sustainable natural resource management in Southwest Papua, the Provincial Government of Southwest Papua, together with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), the Ministry of Forestry, and a consortium of partners consisting of the Darwin Initiative, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) Indonesia, and Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), held a series of meetings and field visits for the Darwin Initiative Extra – Ridge to Reef Conservation in Southwest Papua Project, supported by the UK Government, on 13–15 February 2026.

The activities in Sorong City and Regency mark an important milestone in strengthening cross-sector collaboration through an integrated ridge-to-reef approach, connecting terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems.

From the central government's perspective, KKP emphasized that the effectiveness of conservation area management depends heavily on strong synergy between national policies, local government leadership, and active community involvement.

“Conservation areas will only be effective if managed collaboratively. Community involvement, support from local government, and development partners are the keys to safeguarding marine resources, particularly in biodiversity-rich areas such as the Bird’s Head Seascape,” said Firdaus Agung, Director of Ecosystem Conservation at KKP.

“The ridge-to-reef approach allows the provincial government to align environmental protection with development planning. Conservation is not a barrier to development but a foundation for the well-being of the people of Southwest Papua,” said Southwest Papua Governor Elisa Kambu, in a written statement read by Viktor Solossa, Assistant II for Economy and Development.

Governor Elisa Kambu added that this approach is crucial for Southwest Papua, a new province with extraordinary biodiversity, which serves as a vital source of life and livelihood for local communities.

Nanang Hari Murdani, Head of KSDA Region I Sorong, under the Southwest Papua Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA), stated that managing 1.7 million hectares of conservation areas and protecting various species of flora and fauna inside and outside these areas cannot be done alone. Cross-sector collaboration and synergy are essential for successful conservation that benefits local communities.

“With such a vast mandate, working together with our partners, including FFI Indonesia and YKAN, is indispensable. We are not alone in managing these conservation areas,” added Nanang.

Andrea Ledward, International Biodiversity and Climate Director at the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), representing the UK Government, shared that Southwest Papua is a vital area for implementing integrated land and sea approaches.

“This is my first visit to Southwest Papua, home to well-preserved tropical rainforests, coastal and marine ecosystems, and extraordinary biodiversity. Through the Darwin Extra Ridge-to-Reef Conservation project supported by the UK Government, we collaborate with the Government of Indonesia and local partners to strengthen the management of protected areas on land and at sea, while supporting the expansion of community-based conservation. This locally driven approach demonstrates how effective conservation governance and long-term financing for nature can benefit biodiversity and local livelihoods,” said Andrea.

On 20 January, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto launched a new UK-Indonesia Strategic Partnership in London. Cooperation through the Darwin Extra Ridge-to-Reef Conservation project is a tangible realization of this partnership, turning shared ambitions into real, lasting impacts on the ground.

The series of activities began with a meeting with the Provincial Government in Sorong City. Discussions focused on aligning land and marine conservation priorities with regional development planning, including strengthening governance and integrating land-sea management into development policies. The ridge-to-reef approach was highlighted as a comprehensive management framework connecting land, coastal, and marine areas.

Preserving Forests, Protecting Ancestral Heritage, and the Bird’s Head Landscape

DEFRA and the UK Embassy’s visit underscored a firm commitment to witnessing firsthand how on-the-ground collaboration between the Forestry Ministry (through BBKSDA), local government, FFI, and YKAN, facilitated by the Darwin Extra program, contributes to species conservation while enhancing community well-being.

Cahyo Nugroho, Country Director of FFI Indonesia, praised the communities for protecting forests and key species. During a field visit in Klalik, the delegation had the rare opportunity to observe an echidna (Zaglossus bruijnii) during a nighttime expedition.

“We also saw how the local community works together—from women preparing meals, survey teams opening trails to find the echidna, to tour guides explaining the diversity of reptiles, insects, fungi, and other wildlife along the way. Ecotourism has become a way of life for the community, helping them protect the forest and biodiversity while earning an income,” he said.

Ari Lagu, head of the Klafli Farmers Group in Megame Village, appreciated the visit of Andrea Ledward alongside stakeholders, FFI Indonesia, and YKAN. He stated that the support from these institutions helps the community restore harmony with nature and reduce destructive activities such as poaching and illegal logging. The current focus is on strengthening local wisdom and preserving ancestral heritage.

“Our focus now is on education, especially for our younger generations and the community, about the importance of nature—both forests and the sea—for our lives.”

Protecting the Sea, Sustaining the Bird’s Head Seascape

On the marine side, the program has been running since 2022, strengthening conservation areas, supporting community-based management, and integrating conservation into regional development planning. Malaumkarta Village in Sorong Regency is a key program site.

The marine side of the program has been operational since 2022, focusing on strengthening conservation areas, promoting community-based management, and integrating conservation into regional development planning. One significant program site is Malaumkarta Village in Sorong Regency.

In Malaumkarta, the delegation spoke directly with the Indigenous Peoples (MHA) of Malaumkarta and the Funuwai Tasik Community Monitoring Group (Pokmaswas). Discussions covered local wisdom-based marine management, community monitoring roles in protecting traditional marine areas, and the future challenges and opportunities for sustainable management.

The delegation also visited Um Island, an important sea turtle nesting site. Coastal protection activities there highlight strong community awareness of the link between critical habitat protection, marine conservation area management, and the welfare of coastal communities.

“This sea is not just our source of life but a legacy for our children and grandchildren. With the support of the government and international development partners like the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative and YKAN conservation programs, we feel we are not alone in protecting it,” said Spenyer Malasamuk, a traditional leader in Malaumkarta.

YKAN, as the program’s marine sector implementing partner, emphasized the importance of the community as the main conservation actor.

“YKAN bridges policy, science, and field practice. In Malaumkarta, we assist the community in applying their customary system, called egek, to design and implement effective marine protection and use zones. Here, the indigenous community is the central guardian of the sea, supported by the government and development partners,” said Herlina Hartanto, Executive Director of YKAN.

This collaboration among national and local governments, indigenous communities, and development partners is a tangible example of how partnership-based conservation can deliver ecological and socio-economic benefits for the people of Southwest Papua.