Protected Forest Area Is 1.6 Million Hectares, But West Papua Only Has 45 Forestry Extension Workers

Forest sightings in West Papua Province. (Antara-Hans Arnold Kapisa)

WEST PAPUA - Head of the West Papua Provincial Forestry Service Hendrik Runaweri said the forest in his area is very wide. However, he said, West Papua only has 45 forestry extension workers.

This was conveyed by Runaweri at a debriefing event for West Papua forestry extension workers in Manokwari, Thursday 23 June.​​​​ "There are only 45 forestry extension workers at the West Papua Provincial Forestry Service, this is certainly not comparable to the existing forest area, especially limited facilities and infrastructure", he said.

According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2016, West Papua has a protected forest area of ​​1,627,679 hectares.

Meanwhile, the area of ​​nature reserves and nature conservation in West Papua is 2,639,729.00 hectares.

However, Runaweri said the Forestry Service of West Papua Province is trying to optimize the role of forestry extension workers, who are few in number by providing briefings.

He said one of them was by presenting material on efforts to control forest and land fires.

"Forest and land fires, floods, and landslides cause huge economic losses. The role of extension workers is very important in controlling them", he said.