We had barely fallen asleep when we were awakened by the voices and shouts of local residents directing the boat staff to dock at the port. Before we knew it, we had arrived in Teluk Wondama Regency, West Papua. This was one of many trips we had taken to the region, but this time, it was no ordinary journey. I, along with five colleagues: Veo, Isma, Benu, Via, and Arman, representing the University of Papua, the EcoNusa Foundation, and Ekozona, carried a special mission to the province of West Papua.
The Mission: Preparing the RKPS
Our mission was to assist the Forest Management Units (KPHP) or Regional Forestry Branch Offices (CDK) in four regencies in West Papua in drafting their Social Forestry Management Plans (RKPS). This ten-year plan is a mandatory document for every manager of a village forest (hutan desa) or customary forest (hutan adat).
The RKPS serves as a strategic guide and provides legitimacy for communities to sustainably manage their forests, based on the existing natural resources and biophysical conditions. The four regencies included in our “must-visit” list were: Teluk Wondama, South Manokwari, Fakfak, and Kaimana.
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West Papua is one of the provinces with the largest forest cover in Indonesia. It is no surprise that the government has designated dozens of village forests in the region. Unfortunately, most of these designated village and customary forests have not yet developed their RKPS. This gap brought our team to Wasior, to support the Regional Forestry Branch Office/Forest Management Unit and Village Forest Management Institutions (LPHD) in drafting this essential document.
This activity followed up on a needs assessment and training consultation held in April 2025, aimed at accelerating RKPS preparation in West Papua. Among the priority areas were Senderawoi Village Forest (Teluk Wondama), Yarmatun Village Forest (South Manokwari), Wartutin Village Forest (Fakfak), and Tanggaromi Village Forest (Kaimana).
RKPS Preparation Stages
The preparation of an RKPS involves several key stages:
- Initial Outreach and Consultation
Meetings with heads and staff of the Forest Management Units and community members, especially those involved in the Village Forest Management Institutions, to explain the concept of social forestry, the importance of the RKPS, and to assess their existing mapping capabilities. - GIS-Based Mapping Training
Providing training to Forestry Office/Forest Management Unit staff using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, such as Google Earth Pro and GPS-based mapping with SW Maps, to enable them to develop future RKPS independently. - Forest Resource Potential Survey
Identifying the potential of timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs), such as nutmeg, resin, agarwood, as well as opportunities for ecosystem services and ecotourism. - Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)
Conducted with LPHD members and forestry officials to draft the Social Forestry Management Plan collaboratively. - Finalizing the RKPS Document
Consolidating survey findings, refining maps, and analyzing the potential of both timber and NTFPs to complete the final plan.
Field Notes: RKPS Development in Four Locations
Senderawoi Village Forest, Teluk Wondama
RKPS development took place from June 12–20, 2025, focusing on GIS and digital mapping training for forestry staff. Despite challenges such as limited computer equipment, internet access, and staffing, the training significantly enhanced technical capacity in preparing spatial data. This site had the most complete implementation—field map verification, forest potential surveys, and strong engagement from LPHD leadership and members.
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Yarmatun Village Forest, South Manokwari
Activities were conducted from June 30 to July 4, 2025, including outreach, GIS training, and an FGD to draft the RKPS. The Head of the West Papua Provincial Forestry Office was present and emphasized that the RKPS is a non-negotiable requirement for forest management and for receiving government technical assistance.
Wartutin Village Forest, Fakfak
RKPS development occurred from July 18–24, 2025, with mapping training held on July 21–22. Participants included community members, LPHD leaders, and Forestry Office staff. Interestingly, the Wartutin LPHD has a long-standing background in agroforestry and prefers a practical, field-based approach rather than strictly following written protocols.
Tanggaromi Village Forest, Kaimana
Development began on July 26, 2025, focusing on revising the Long-Term Forest Management Plan. A forest potential survey followed on July 28–29, and the finalization of the RKPS took place on July 30–31, 2025.
The journey to develop RKPS documents in the Senderawoi, Yarmatun, Wartutin, and Tanggaromi village forests demonstrates that the RKPS is not merely an administrative formality. It is a tool for capacity building, a platform for community participation, and a foundation for forest-based economic development.
With ongoing technical assistance, active community participation, and strengthened LPHD institutions, the RKPS in West Papua is expected to serve as a roadmap for sustainable village forest management through to 2034.
The author is a Senior Program Associate and Technical Advisor on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM).
