The country aims to reduce emission of greenhouse gases by working with the local people
National Park in Indonesia by Paxson Woelber – Own work
The Indonesian government has announced that it will return 13,000 hectares of customary lands back to the indigenous communities of Indonesia.
According to the Asian Correspondent, the announcement was made on the 30th of December by President Joko Widodo. The government also made a commitment to return a total of 12.7 million hectares to local and indigenous groups.
The decision was praised by activists including Abdon Nababan, a campaigner for the rights of Indonesia’s indigenous communities.
Nababan spoke to Thomson Reuters Foundation and said “In our constitution, since (independence in) 1945, there has been strong recognition and respect for indigenous rights, but until the end of last year, there has been no real legal recognition. This is the first time.”
Indonesia has been working towards reducing carbon emission and slowing down deforestation of carbon rich peat lands which are often found in remote areas inhabited by indigenous people and susceptible to large forest fires.
Nababan claims that granting the people these customary lands would be the most cost effective solution to fighting climate change and securing sources of water and food.
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