As the largest wetland ecosystem on the island of Papua, the Wasur National Park has an important role to play and requires adequate maintenance. This maintenance encompasses support from and the involvement of other parties as a part of the national park’s management. In an effort to coordinate with the Regional Government of Merauke Regency, the Wasur National Park held a coordination meeting on 15 August 2022, which was opened by the Deputy Regent of Merauke, Mr. H. Riduan, S.sos., M.Pd. and which was also attended by the Secretary of Merauke Regency, Mr. Ruslan Ramli.

During the meeting, the Head of the Wasur National Park outlined the progress that had been made in terms of the recent activities that have been carried out in the national park area, including some that were supported by FORCLIME. Furthermore, the head also expressed the need to strengthen the Wasur National Park Management Collaborative Forum (FKPTNW) and its role of encouraging communication and coordination between parties in order to support the management of the national park. In this regard, the establishment of Merauke Regency as a new center of government for South Papua Province means that pressure on the Wasur National Park will undoubtedly increase even further.

During the meeting, the Deputy Regent of Merauke Regency explained that the FKPTNW could be strengthened after the various processes involved in the establishment of South Papua Province had been completed. In this regard, the goal is to ensure that new FKPTNW members are policymakers who will be able to play a role in supporting the management of the Wasur National Park.

In the wake of the meeting, there will be a series of follow-up meetings that will address the revitalization of the FKPTNW. The hope is that it will be able to play a major role in supporting more effective management of the national park while remaining focused on the welfare of the local indigenous peoples through the sustainable use of non-timber forest products.

For more information, please contact:
Theodora F. Resubun, Advisor for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua Province
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces