WWF Sahul

FINAL PROJECT STATUS BRIEF 2001

Community Management and Resources Access for Lorentz Ecosystem in Asmat Areas

Yayasan World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Indonesia
c/o WWF Sahul
Jl Angkasa Indah II No.6, PO Box 1780, Jayapura 99012
Tel: (62) (0967) 542 528 Fax: (62) (0967) 542 529
Email: wwflorentz@jayapura.wasantara.net.id

Geographical focus

Sub-district Sawa-Erma, Merauke, Papua

Tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests/ coastal and marine ecosystems

Commencing February 1998

Since early 1980's the Asmat tribes, internationally known for their woodcarving skills, have been involved in conservation activities organized by the local Catholic church. Five years ago, the church began sketch mapping using GIS, with some external assistance from Conservation International. More recently, WWF Indonesia has assisted the local adat organization, Lembaga Musyawarah Adat Asmat (LMAA) and the Social Delegate of the Catholic Church of Agats, Asmat in mapping and developing strategies to control illegal logging in the watershed areas of Sawa-Erma. LMAA began organizing an association of adat assemblies to proactively propose alternatives to current illegal and unsustainable logging practices by villagers, working closely with a logging concession that threatens the Lorentz National Park boundaries. WWF Indonesia is currently working with Asmat villagers to clarify boundaries and contribute to the development of a more comprehensive management plan for the national park.

The main objectives of this project are:

to develop and strengthen adat institutions so they can lead the process of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of community-based natural resources management and conservation;
to introduce technologies that will strengthen traditional resource management practices; and
to facilitate the process of gaining recognition of customary rights in Lorentz National Park management.

To implement the objectives, LMAA together with WWF Indonesia will conduct the following activities:

Participatory documentation and research in selected villages on traditional resource management systems and on economic activities that affect the environment.
Facilitate exchange of information and experiences between its members and other NGOs and with other adat organizations in Wamena; strengthen local adat community networks; integrate gender issues and develop simple ways for community information dissemination.
Conduct Village Development Planning and training needs assessments.
Assist in the training of village facilitators for community resource and landuse planning and community development planning (based on training assessment results).
Facilitate the participation of local communities and stakeholders in actual mapping in Aou, Kapi and Nakai and other accessible areas in Sawa-Erma, Merauke. This will include mapping of resource distribution and customary boundaries.
Facilitate preparation of village conservation agreements among villagers in above areas, and develop village landuse plans.
Improve economic activities through application of more productive technologies.
Prepare local communities to negotiate for recognition of customary rights by presentation of results of mapping and landuse planning with government, or transferring this information to various stakeholders through newsletters and other popular media.
Facilitate conflict resolution between adat organizations and government or other stakeholders.

Community mapping training in Lorentz National Park resulted in maps of six villages in the Joirat region and two villages in the Kenok areas. Using resource persons from other NGOs, the training focussed on mapping techniques and their practical applications. WWF-Sahul has redrafted these maps into a standard format for government and other users. Formatted maps were completed for Aou, Nakai, Erogo, As and Tat. These maps were then checked and finalized by community members.

Results from the landmark "Asmat Assembly" which brought together more than 70 community leaders from seven of the 12 Asmat clans include: 1) advocacy plans for village maps; 2) "Forum Musyawarah Adat" set up for 4 clan groups in Joirat, Kenok, Betsmbup and Bisman, with 30 village groups; 3) a plan for a major forum for year 2000; 4) formation of area adat groups (known locally as FAR), including seven clans in Jew Becmumb-Asmat. The executives of these groups were elected by the communities and inaugurated through an adat ceremony. The Agats local government and church were very helpful in making the series of facilitations possible. Other clans then received facilitation support from LMAA, Keenok-Asmat, Joerat-Asmat, Simai-Asmat, and Safan-Asmat. In May 2000, LMAA elected a new co-ordinator through a democratic process, elected by members of six adat groups, known as Forum Adat Rumpun, facilitated by LMAA. LMAA continues to facilitate the forming of similar groups in Joerat and Safan.

Adat meetings were held in villages of Kapi and Yamas-Yenni to determine local training needs for men and youths. These primarily involved skills to improve economic activities such as distilling clove essence, opening a workshop, financial management, but also included some natural resource management skills. Inventories of adat values are ongoing, as well as inventories of threats which will be compiled by Konpenma. The successful closure of the polluting fish factory has been highlighted and spread around to other adat groups and NGOs through the ever improving information networks, as an example of how to effectively counter unwanted threats. An eco-tourism study tour was undertaken to East Nusa Tenggara. LMAA has been working with the International Indo-Pacific Conservation Alliance to develop a broad-ranging project with them.

[ Bantaya ] - [ ELSAM ] - [ FPK ] - [ Hualopu ] - [ JKPP ] - [ Jaring Pela ] - [ KalBar SHK ]

[ Kemala ] - [ KonPenMA ] - [ KPA ] - [ KPSHK ] - [ LATIN ] - [ LMAA ] - [ LPPMA ]

[ Pancurkasih ] - [ PLASMA ] - [ Pro Plasma ] - [ PUTER ] - [ RMI ] - [ Telapak ] - [ WWF Sahul ]

[ YBAW ] - [ YLBHI ] - [ YPLHC ] - [ YTM ]



	FINAL PROJECT STATUS BRIEF 2001

Project	Community Management and Resources Access for Lorentz Ecosystem in Asmat Areas
Partner	Yayasan World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Indonesia c/o WWF Sahul Jl Angkasa Indah II No.6, PO Box 1780, Jayapura 99012 Tel: (62) (0967) 542 528 Fax: (62) (0967) 542 529 Email: wwflorentz@jayapura.wasantara.net.id
Geographical focus	Sub-district Sawa-Erma, Merauke, Papua
Biome	Tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests/ coastal and marine ecosystems
Timing	Commencing February 1998
Description	Since early 1980's the Asmat tribes, internationally known for their woodcarving skills, have been involved in conservation activities organized by the local Catholic church. Five years ago, the church began sketch mapping using GIS, with some external assistance from Conservation International. More recently, WWF Indonesia has assisted the local adat organization, Lembaga Musyawarah Adat Asmat (LMAA) and the Social Delegate of the Catholic Church of Agats, Asmat in mapping and developing strategies to control illegal logging in the watershed areas of Sawa-Erma. LMAA began organizing an association of adat assemblies to proactively propose alternatives to current illegal and unsustainable logging practices by villagers, working closely with a logging concession that threatens the Lorentz National Park boundaries. WWF Indonesia is currently working with Asmat villagers to clarify boundaries and contribute to the development of a more comprehensive management plan for the national park. The main objectives of this project are: to develop and strengthen adat institutions so they can lead the process of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of community-based natural resources management and conservation; to introduce technologies that will strengthen traditional resource management practices; and to facilitate the process of gaining recognition of customary rights in Lorentz National Park management. To implement the objectives, LMAA together with WWF Indonesia will conduct the following activities: Participatory documentation and research in selected villages on traditional resource management systems and on economic activities that affect the environment. Facilitate exchange of information and experiences between its members and other NGOs and with other adat organizations in Wamena; strengthen local adat community networks; integrate gender issues and develop simple ways for community information dissemination. Conduct Village Development Planning and training needs assessments. Assist in the training of village facilitators for community resource and landuse planning and community development planning (based on training assessment results). Facilitate the participation of local communities and stakeholders in actual mapping in Aou, Kapi and Nakai and other accessible areas in Sawa-Erma, Merauke. This will include mapping of resource distribution and customary boundaries. Facilitate preparation of village conservation agreements among villagers in above areas, and develop village landuse plans. Improve economic activities through application of more productive technologies. Prepare local communities to negotiate for recognition of customary rights by presentation of results of mapping and landuse planning with government, or transferring this information to various stakeholders through newsletters and other popular media. Facilitate conflict resolution between adat organizations and government or other stakeholders.
Results	Community mapping training in Lorentz National Park resulted in maps of six villages in the Joirat region and two villages in the Kenok areas. Using resource persons from other NGOs, the training focussed on mapping techniques and their practical applications. WWF-Sahul has redrafted these maps into a standard format for government and other users. Formatted maps were completed for Aou, Nakai, Erogo, As and Tat. These maps were then checked and finalized by community members. Results from the landmark "Asmat Assembly" which brought together more than 70 community leaders from seven of the 12 Asmat clans include: 1) advocacy plans for village maps; 2) "Forum Musyawarah Adat" set up for 4 clan groups in Joirat, Kenok, Betsmbup and Bisman, with 30 village groups; 3) a plan for a major forum for year 2000; 4) formation of area adat groups (known locally as FAR), including seven clans in Jew Becmumb-Asmat. The executives of these groups were elected by the communities and inaugurated through an adat ceremony. The Agats local government and church were very helpful in making the series of facilitations possible. Other clans then received facilitation support from LMAA, Keenok-Asmat, Joerat-Asmat, Simai-Asmat, and Safan-Asmat. In May 2000, LMAA elected a new co-ordinator through a democratic process, elected by members of six adat groups, known as Forum Adat Rumpun, facilitated by LMAA. LMAA continues to facilitate the forming of similar groups in Joerat and Safan. Adat meetings were held in villages of Kapi and Yamas-Yenni to determine local training needs for men and youths. These primarily involved skills to improve economic activities such as distilling clove essence, opening a workshop, financial management, but also included some natural resource management skills. Inventories of adat values are ongoing, as well as inventories of threats which will be compiled by Konpenma. The successful closure of the polluting fish factory has been highlighted and spread around to other adat groups and NGOs through the ever improving information networks, as an example of how to effectively counter unwanted threats. An eco-tourism study tour was undertaken to East Nusa Tenggara. LMAA has been working with the International Indo-Pacific Conservation Alliance to develop a broad-ranging project with them.