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600 hectares of protected forest turn into community forest

Airmadidi, Ekuatorial – No less than 600 hectares of protected forests in North Minahasa would be turned into community forests where people might be able to manage forest products but were not allowed to cut its trees, said Joppy Lengkong, head of North Minahasa Forestry Agency, on Saturday (1/3).

“We have already proposed for 600 hectares of protected forests to become community forests for Teep, Klabat and Pinili villages of North Minahasa district. The team had already been dispatched, only 32 hectares are allowed to be turned into housing areas in Teep village,” said Lengkong adding that it was considered as a solution to prevent people encroaching protected forest.

There were only two options for Teep village which had been encroaching protected forest, he said, either enclave or relocate it. “Basically, it’s only housing areas were enclave, de jure. But, its location is right in the middle of the forest,” said Lengkong adding that enclave decision was decided by central government.

As a protected forest, Lengkong said all activities must be prioritized in accordance to its function. “So, people can only manage, no cutting and own the land. They are allowed to plant Multipurpose Tree Species or MPTS. We will not evict people who has been managing forest areas as their plantations,” he said.

The changes came after local people protested on the claim made by the Forestry Agency that their village was included in the protected forest meanwhile they have been living in the area for years. Villagers claimed that the announcement was made without coordinating with village officials.

Piet Luntungan, North Minahasa respected figure said that the government must be careful in making policies, especially in determining forest status as people were still counting on their livelihood from protected forests.

Luntungan said that there should be an understanding from all stakeholders, on one side to protect the forest and its biodiversity, meanwhile, on the other side, people can still manage their lands and earn their living. Yoseph Ikanubun

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