Page 114 - Buku Ajar Mata Kuliah Dasar Umum Bahasa Inggris

The Sira and Manggroholo Forests

Papua is rich in forests with high biodiversity, and indigenous people rely on these
forests for their daily needs. However, deforestation is rapidly occurring, mainly
due to logging and land conversion for oil palm plantations. The West Papua
province alone has lost nearly 400,000 hectares of forest for palm oil, causing
many indigenous communities to lose their customary land and forest resources.
In response, the villages of Sira and Manggroholo in South Sorong have rejected
logging and palm oil plantations, instead fighting to protect their forests.
The forests in Sira and Manggroholo are part of the Knasaimos traditional
territory, covering over 81,000 hectares. The villagers, who share a common
ancestry, have worked since 2008 to secure Village Forest status for their land.
After mapping their forests and submitting a proposal to the Ministry of Forestry,
they succeeded in 2014 when their forests were officially recognized as the first
Village Forests in Papua, covering 3,545 hectares.
Since receiving the Village Forest status, the people of Sira and
Manggroholo have continued to manage their forests sustainably. They focus on
non-timber forest products, such as resin and sago, and small-scale organic
farming. Sago production is particularly important, as it helps villagers meet their
financial needs, such as paying for their children's education. Despite challenges,
including the pandemic, the villagers are also exploring ecotourism to further
support their livelihoods.
To protect their forests, the villagers of Sira and Manggroholo regularly patrol
and monitor the area, involving both young and old in safeguarding the land from
illegal logging. Their efforts reflect a strong commitment to preserving the
environment and their way of life for future generations.
Adapted from: econusa.id
(https://econusa.id/en/ecoblogs/managing-the-sira-and-manggroholo-forests-the-first-village-forest-in-
tanah-papua/)

After reading, answer the following questions based on the text.

1. What is the main cause of deforestation in Papua?
2. How did the people of Sira and Manggroholo protect their forests?

3. What are some of the products the villagers rely on from the forest?

4. How are the villagers managing their forests now that they have Village Forest
status?

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