Adianto P. Simamora , The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 12/03/2009 8:56 PM
The government is likely to recognize communal rights and the crucial role of tribal people in environmental management and protection, says State Environment Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta.
Speaking at a workshop on communal rights jointly organized by the State Environment Ministry and the Alliance of Archipelagic Indigenous People (AMAN) here on Thursday, Hatta said that recognizing communal rights was crucial to understanding the communal rights of tribal communities and ending frequent conflict between tribes and mining and forestry companies nationwide.
So far, the Forestry Ministry and the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry have ignored communal rights by issuing mining permits and forest concessions.
Gusti stressed the government could not turn a blind eye to the existence of tribes, as well as their role and local wisdom regarding environmental management and protection.
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