Photo: Environmental warning signs are erected at various points inside the forest to boost public awareness of nature protection
BOVEN DIGOEL – PT Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) is supporting indigenous efforts to preserve local forests and wildlife in Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua. This commitment recently took the form of an educational outreach session and the installation of anti-poaching signs in poaching-prone areas within a customary forest belonging to the Irowop Kawab clan.
These initiatives were born out of community concerns about illegal hunting and its threat to forest sustainability. For indigenous settlements, this ecosystem holds ecological, social, cultural, and spiritual values, and is a treasure passed down through generations. Protection efforts are therefore crucial to maintaining the balance between forest species and safeguarding cultural principles from being eroded by practices such as poaching and other illicit activities.
“We’re very grateful to the company for supporting our efforts to guard our forests and heritage,” said Edy Kawab on behalf of the clan in mid-July.
Indigenous participation is an important component of conservation work, said TSE’s Assistant Manager, Yohanes Sada Nanlohi. This is particularly considering the direct connection between these communities and their territories, of which the forest is a part.
“By collaborating with the Irowop Kawab clan on this sign installation project, we [aim to] demonstrate the synergy between companies and indigenous communities in ensuring environmental protection,” Yohanes added. “This initiative aligns with TSE Group’s efforts to work with customary land rights holders to carry out its social and environmental programs.”
Photo: TSE representatives team up with members of the local community to set up warning signs. These signs aim to encourage the preservation of forest areas
This is on top of actions taken by the company to implement sustainable plantation management. Through its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policy, TSE Group strives to protect local biodiversity and prevent the hunting of protected fauna — as well as those vital to the ecosystems in Papua, including the pig-nosed turtles and the birds-of-paradise.
The company also continues to strengthen its activities to maintain High Conservation Value (HCV) areas and run conservation programs through the Papua Conservation initiative.
With this recent event with the Irowop Kawab clan, TSE Group hopes to improve customary forest and biodiversity safeguards, while raising public awareness on poaching and protecting Papua’s natural wealth for future generations. (PR)
