In an effort to lay the groundwork for the development of the University of Ottow Geissler Papua Educational Forest (UOGP) in Jayapura, in 2021, the university, supported by FORCLIME, held Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) or public consultations with customary peoples and communities who live in and own the areas in and around the proposed location of the Educational Forest. The FPIC activity resulted in an agreement and received support from the community and other stakeholders as regards the Education Forest Development Plan. The location that has been chosen for the proposed Educational Forest comprises land for other purposes (APL) that belongs to the local customary communities. This ultimately means that the University of Ottow Geissler Papua will not need to submit a permit proposal that addresses the preparation of the Educational Forest to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

Following up on the FPIC activity, UOGP and FORCLIME held a meeting in order to discuss the preparation of a Long-Term Forest Management Plan (RPHJP) for the Educational Forest of Ottow Geissler University Papua on 14 April 2022 in Jayapura, Papua. The RPHJP will be drawn up as a management instrument so that the Educational Forest can be managed effectively and purposefully. The RPHJP is being prepared in line with Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number P. 15/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM. 1/5/2018 on Forest Areas with Special Purposes (KHDTK). Senior lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Marine Affairs, University of Ottow Geissler Papua, Frank Leonardo Apituley, S.Hut., M.Si., welcomed the idea of the RPHJP. Mr. Apituley also added that a number of research and education activities have already been carried out at the location in question. In addition, the Papua Provincial Forestry Service, the Forest Management Unit and the Papua Natural Resources and Conservation Center also offered their full cooperation and support for the development of the UOGP Educational Forest. During the discussion, it was also agreed that the preparation of the RPHJP would be followed up by the identification of relevant data that is already available as a part of materials that are being used during the preparation of a description of the Educational Forest area of Ottow Geissler University Papua.

For more information, please contact:
Ruben Yogi, Junior Adviser for GIS and Forest Mapping
Edy Marbyanto, Strategic Area Manager for Human Capacity Development