Workshop on Urgent Recognition and Protection of Local Wisdom and ICCAs in Sumba under LHK Regulation P.34/2017 and Presidential Instruction 1/2023 on Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation in Sustainable Development

West Sumba, July 28-29, 2026
by: WGII, AMAN Sumba, Satu Visi and Koppesda

WGII together with AMAN Sumba, Satu Visi, and Koppesda organized the Workshop on the Urgency of Implementing Recognition and Protection of Local Wisdom and ICCAs in Sumba Island in Accordance with Ministerial Regulation LHK No. P.34 of 2017 and Presidential Instruction No. 1 of 2023 on Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation in Sustainable Development on July 28-29, 2026, across Sumba.

This activity involves Indigenous Peoples, Regional Apparatus Organizations, Civil Society Organizations in Sumba and Kupang. The event was attended by the Tabera Ratewana Community, Waimanu Indigenous Community, Umbu Pabal Indigenous Community, Tandula Jangga Indigenous Community. Additionally, this activity also involves the Provincial Social Forestry Office of East Nusa Tenggara, the Head of the Economic and Natural Resources Division of the West Sumba Regency Secretariat, the Environment Agency, the Community and Village Empowerment Agency, the Cultural Agency, and the Tourism Agency across Sumba and the Forest Management Unit (KPH) of West Sumba Regency.

Ministerial Regulation LHK 34 of 2017: From Regulation to Real Action

The material on Recognition and Protection of Local Wisdom in the Management of Natural Resources and Environment through Ministerial Regulation LHK 34/2017 was presented by Muhammad Ihsan Maulana – Working Group ICCAs Indonesia. This session emphasized that recognition of local wisdom is not just a concept but has a clear legal basis through Ministerial Regulation LHK No. 34 of 2017. This session discussed the stages of recognition, protection, and management of local wisdom areas as part of efforts to preserve biodiversity while strengthening the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. The regulation will have a real impact when understood and implemented together by local governments, communities, and all stakeholders.

Recognition of Local Wisdom is the Key to Fair Conservation

The material on Efforts to Accelerate Recognition and Protection of Biodiversity through the Local Wisdom Recognition Scheme was presented by Mrs. Mutiara from the Directorate of Biodiversity Conservation, Ministry of Environment. It was stated that Indonesia has an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity. However, preserving this wealth cannot rely solely on conservation areas but also requires recognition of the communities that have protected it for generations. Through this session, participants were invited to understand how recognition and protection of local wisdom become an important part of implementing biodiversity conservation in Indonesia, in line with national policy directions and the IBSAP 2025–2045 targets. Effective conservation is conservation that respects the knowledge, culture, and rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.

Policy Synchronization between Central and Regional Governments in Identifying, Recognizing, and Protecting Local Wisdom Areas

Presented by Mr. Irvan Amirullah - Director of Synchronization of Regional Government Affairs I, Directorate General of Regional Development, Ministry of Home Affairs. Recognition of local wisdom areas cannot stand alone. Synergy between the central and regional governments is needed so that policies can be effectively implemented down to the field level. This discussion addressed how the policy synchronization process can accelerate the recognition of indigenous peoples, protection of local wisdom areas, while also supporting the mainstreaming of biodiversity in regional development. Collaboration is the foundation for inclusive and sustainable conservation.

Ministerial Regulation LHK 34 of 2017: From Regulation to Real Action

In the session on Recognition and Protection of Local Wisdom in the Management of Natural Resources and Environment through Ministerial Regulation LHK 34/2017, Ihsan Maulana from WGII stated that recognition of local wisdom is not just a concept but has a clear legal basis through Ministerial Regulation LHK No. 34 of 2017. This session discussed the stages of recognition, protection, and management of local wisdom areas as part of efforts to preserve biodiversity while strengthening the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. The regulation will have a real impact when understood and implemented together by local governments, communities, and all stakeholders.

Why Does Sumba Need Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Peoples and Local Wisdom Now?

This session reviewed the Urgency of Implementing Recognition and Protection of Local Wisdom and ICCAs of Indigenous Peoples in Sumba. Sumba Island has a wealth of culture, indigenous territories, and natural management practices that have been passed down through generations. Unfortunately, many of them have not yet received official recognition and protection. Through this session, participants collectively mapped the conditions on the ground, the challenges faced, and the opportunities to strengthen the recognition of local wisdom and ICCAs as part of sustainable regional development. The future of biodiversity also depends on the future of the communities that protect it.

Documentation as the First Step of Recognition

The session on Procedures for Inventory, Verification, Validation of Local Wisdom and Documentation of ICCAs was presented by Reni Andriani and Bryandanu Oktanine related to the recognition of local wisdom starting from strong data. Therefore, inventory, verification, validation, and documentation become important stages in ensuring local practices can be officially recognized. Through this session, participants learned documentation methods in accordance with Ministerial Regulation LHK No. 34 of 2017 and the introduction of ICCAs documentation as the living areas of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Good data will strengthen supportive policies.

From Data to Official Recognition

This session discussed the Procedures for Announcing and Establishing Local Wisdom Areas. After going through the identification and verification process, the next stage is the announcement and establishment of local wisdom areas. Participants learned about this mechanism, including the rights and obligations of the custodians and accessors of local wisdom areas, while also presenting group work results as part of a shared learning process. Recognition is not the end of the process but the beginning of stronger protection.

Reading the Potential of Local Wisdom in Sumba Island

This activity concluded by looking at the Condition of Local Wisdom Data in West Sumba, Central Sumba, and East Sumba, which will undergo inventory of local wisdom and be pushed towards Recognition of Local Wisdom Areas. Data is the foundation in formulating the right policies. In this session, participants collectively examined the condition of local wisdom data in West Sumba, Central Sumba, and East Sumba as the basis for formulating future recognition and protection steps. By understanding the existing conditions, we can design more effective strategies to preserve biodiversity while strengthening the role of indigenous peoples in environmental management. Let us together build conservation that stems from community knowledge and practices.

West Sumba,
July 28-29, 2026