Indonesia is home to millions of hectares of forest, 12% of the world's mammals, and a dizzying array of Indigenous peoples. However, as the nation of 280 million develops, that forest—which plays a crucial role in keeping the earth's ecosystem in balance—is quickly being destroyed through mining, logging, plantations and infrastructure building.
But at the start of 2017, more than 13,000 hectares of customary land was handed over to nine Indigenous communities across the country, recognizing their longstanding good stewardship and management of forests. This scheme could provide a sustainable solution to the country's future development.
