Jayapura (ANTARA) - The Papua Provincial Government has underscored the need to protect customary land rights as a source of identity, dignity, and livelihood for the region’s indigenous communities.
“Customary land rights are not just land but an ancestral heritage that symbolizes sovereignty and identity, so customary rights must be recognized,” Papua Deputy Governor Aryoko Rumaropen said in Jayapura on Thursday.
Rumaropen noted that land is both a trust from the ancestors and a legacy for future generations. He said the government aims to ensure a sovereign Papua through proper regional mapping and community empowerment.
“Therefore, the ongoing socialization of customary land administration and registration is a strategic step to strengthen the legal recognition of indigenous community rights in Papua,” he said.
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He explained that the initiative aligns with Minister of ATR/BPN Regulation No. 14 of 2024, which recognizes customary land rights as long as they remain valid under applicable customary law.
“This requires an administrative process that includes inventory, identification, measurement, mapping, and recording in the customary land register,” he said.
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He added that the success of this effort depends greatly on cross-sector collaboration involving local governments, traditional institutions, universities, and the National Land Agency (BPN).
“With solid cooperation, we can ensure that the recognition and registration of customary land is fair, transparent, and respectful of customary values,” he said.
