Antara News·Indonesia·Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 03:29 AM

Indonesia seeks wider community share in forest carbon trade

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Arnidhya NZ, Rahmad Nasution

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - Indonesia's social forestry program aims to broaden participation in carbon trading by directing benefits to communities that protect forests, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said.

"The scheme ensures carbon benefits reach social forestry, indigenous groups and forest villages rather than only large concessions," he said in a statement issued in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday.

Jambi's Bujang Raba Landscape became the first social forestry group approved to participate in forestry-sector carbon trading, Antoni said.

Bujang Raba's entry into carbon trading required regulatory changes, temporarily halting trading activities in 2021 pending dedicated government guidelines.

Following regulatory updates, Bujang Raba received approval during the launch of the Indonesia Forestry Carbon Hub on July 6, 2026, with project documents now being registered.

Antoni cited Bujang Raba as a model of community participation in carbon markets and effective forest-fire prevention.

Community awareness and shared conservation agreements are essential to maintaining forest protection, he said.

"Amid ongoing efforts to control forest fires across West, Central and South Kalimantan, as well as South Sumatra, Jambi serves as an oasis," Antoni said.

The Bujang Raba initiative shows how community empowerment and participation can strengthen wildfire prevention nationwide, he added.

Antoni said the government plans to establish a village-based National Peatland and Mangrove Management Agency (BPGMN), with local fire-aware community groups as key partners.

"When village communities are empowered and invited to participate together, forests remain protected, as Bujang Raba demonstrates," he said.

The minister stressed that community awareness must be combined with strict law enforcement to effectively deter illegal activities in forests.

He reaffirmed cooperation with law enforcement agencies, directing the Forestry Ministry's enforcement division to resume joint patrols whenever violations occur.

"Combining empowered communities, raised awareness and strict law enforcement eliminates illegal activities entirely," Antoni said.

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