The Minister’s Delegation, accompanied by Pak Heru Prasetyo and Pak William Sabandar from the REDD+ Task Force, flew to Central Kalimantan, after a series of meetings in Jakarta with high-level officials including the Chair of the REDD + Task Force Pak Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, to meet with focal point and stakeholders in the appointed REDD+ Pilot Province.Upon arrival at the Tjilik Riwut Airport, Minister Holmås and his delegation were welcomed with a traditional welcoming ceremony ‘Tetek Pantan’ and met with local government delegation, Central Kalimantan Vice Governor, Pak Achmad Diran, and Regional Secretary, Pak Siun Jarias. In a subsequent meeting, Minister Holmås and Vice Governor Achmad Diran discussed general progress on REDD+ in the Province, including opportunities and challenges.
Photo: Minister Holmas discussed with partners from AMAN and KEMITRAAN /Credit:Indonesia REDD+ Task Force
The delegation then went to Tangkiling port for a tour on Raha’i Pangun boat to observe mangrove, peatland forests, and Orangutan training field at Kaja Island while cruising along the Rungan river. During the river tour, NGO partners from Indigenous People Alliance (AMAN) and Partnership for Governance Reform (KEMITRAAN) and WWF-Indonesia, as well as Rainforest Foundation Norway, shared their views and experiences with Minister Holmås and his Delegation. The NGO-representatives made their views known about forestry governance and empowerment of local communities, especially relating to strengthening local stakeholders in the implementation of REDD+ in the Province.
Photo: Minister Holmas and delegation made a short trek at Lake Tahai forest /Credit:Indonesia REDD+ Task Force
The Delegation also went by canoe to Lake Tahai and made a short trek in the nearby mangrove forest, and re-boarded the river boat to visit Sei Gohong village. Welcomed with a ‘Tetek Pantan’ ceremony, the Minister was asked to use Mandau (a traditional Dayak weapon) to cut the wood ‘pantan’ as a requirement for entering the community neighborhood. During his visit, Minister Holmås had the opportunity to learn from the Village Head how the community has conserved forests for sustaining their livelihood and local economy, including supporting community-grown rubbers.
Photo: Minister Holmas and delegation went by canoe to Lake Tahai forest /Credit:Indonesia REDD+ Task Force
After the river tour, the delegation headed to Palangka Raya to visit a Norway-funded ‘Civil Servant Investigator’ training organized by the UNODC at the REDD+ Training Center. During his remarks at the training centre, Minister Holmås emphasized the important role played by the training participants as frontliners in enforcing forestry law. He furthermore underlined that their role is crucial in efforts to save Indonesia’s remaining forests.
Photo: Minister Holmas cut wood ‘Pantan’ with Mandau during a welcoming ceremony at Sei Gohong village. /Credit:Indonesia REDD+ Task Force
The Minister ended his visit to Central Kalimantan with a brief meeting with local media at UNORCID office. During the press meeting, Minister Holmås reminded that local media play a very critical role in raising public and stakeholders’ awareness and knowledge on forestry issues, especially the ones related to implementation of REDD+ after the stipulation of Central Kalimantan as REDD+ pilot province. He pledged Norway’s continued and strong support for what Indonesia is doing on REDD+.
Photo: Minister Holmas met with Head of Sei Gohong village and discussed about forest and its importance for local community. /Credit: Indonesia REDD+ Task Force.