The educational forest development initiative has been operating since 2019 when the customary community known as the Necheibe Ormu proposed that their forest should be managed by the University of Ottow Geissler Papua (UOGP) as an educational and research forest for the UOGP academic community and other stakeholders. The proposal for the development of the educational forest was followed up by UOGP during a series of meetings, including meetings with the Forestry and Environment Service (DKLH), the Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) and other relevant parties, in order to seek legitimacy and follow-up recommendations regarding plans to develop an educational forest.

In terms of the development of educational forests, the University of Ottow Geissler Papua has recently been engaging in outreach through public consultations, as well as Free, Prior, Informed and Consent (FPIC) initiatives. These activities, which were inaugurated by Deputy Chancellor I of the University of Ottow Geissler Papua, George. M. Satya, M.Sc., Ph.D., were conducted over a five-day period from 16 - 20 November 2021 at Pasir 6 North Jayapura, Papua.

The implementation of FPIC activities involved various parties who are closely related to the location of the educational forest in both legal and customary senses. In addition to the holders of ulayat rights and the UOGP, also present were a number of community groups living around the area of the educational forest. The FPIC event aimed to ensure that there were no overlaps and to seek support from local stakeholders. The educational forest is located at Pasir 6, Tanjung Ria Village, North Jayapura. As a result of the FPIC process, the area that has now been agreed through processes of participatory mapping comprises some 144.92 Ha.

Furthermore, through this FPIC activity, some follow up actions have been identified:
1. The Necheibe Ormu customary community agreed to apply the FPIC principles during the management of the educational forest.
2. A participatory mapping structure for the educational forest, which is known as the “Nyei Toro”, was decided.
3. A priority work programme and the zoning of the “Nyei Toro” educational forest were set.
4. Minutes of validation for the “Nyei Toro” Educational Forest Participatory Map and Minutes of FPIC Management for the “Nyei Toro” Educational Forest were completed.
5. Agreements were reached regarding implementation and monitoring strategies for the management of the “Nyei Toro” educational forest.

For more information, please contact:
Ruben Yogi, Junior Adviser for GIS and Forest Mapping
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces