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UNODC Facilitates Community-based Forest Protection Training in Central Kalimantan to Address Forest Crimes



Central Kalimantan (Indonesia), 23 September 2014 - Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry recently estimated that 450,000 hectares of forest are lost annually through legal and illegal means. This is a significant loss and responding to forest crimes is an important task for the Government of Indonesia. Illegal logging occurs in areas that are rich in forest such as Papua, West Papua and Central Kalimantan. The destruction of forests and the environmental and ecological damage that follows are issues that the Government of Indonesia has been addressing with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Not only does illegal logging pose serious environmental and ecological threats, it can also lead to an increase in poverty, conflict and to human right violations.

In June and July, 2014, UNODC assisted the Government of Indonesia in countering forest crimes, specifically their connection to corruption and money laundering. This assistance was provided in the form of training sessions in Papua, West Papua and Central Kalimantan, which were attended by members of law enforcement agencies and Forestry Service investigators. In all three regions, the participants agreed that detecting forest crimes requires coordination and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and forest communities.

Community participation in forest management requires the involvement of people that live in close proximity to the forest. Local communities are often highly dependent on forest resources and therefore have a strong interest in its protection and conservation. Furthermore, communities directly feel the impact of forest damage and can play a crucial role in disrupting action that may threaten forests.

For the community to play a meaningful role in forest protection, it is important that individuals are provided with the skills and knowledge that are required for its success. With support from the Government of Norway, UNODC conducted training on Community-based Forest Protection (community patrol) in Kapuas District, Central Kalimantan from 15th-19th September, aiming to increase the capacity of community members, forest rangers and police officials at the local level to ensure forest protection.

Approximately twenty-five participants attended the training, which was facilitated by trainers from the Center for Forestry Education and Training and the Indonesian National Police. The training aimed to enhance participants' knowledge and understanding of the laws relating to forestry and natural resources and of the concept of community-based forest protection. By the end of the training, participants had received the relevant training to be able to undertake forest patrols and to produce reports on their findings.

In addition to this training in Central Kalimantan, the Community-based Forest Protection Training is scheduled for Papua and West Papua next month.