Conflicts around natural resources have a long history in Indonesia. Current observations confirm an alarming increase in conflicts, mainly at the local level. These are not only increasing in frequency, but also in terms of intensity, leading to violent and sometimes fatal incidents. Socioeconomic developments such as economic and demographic growth are exacerbating the pressure on scarce but essential resources. Other contributing factors such as ethnicity, migration or corruption further aggravate conflicts. However, some positive developments in regard to the recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights give hope that the present situation will improve.

Due to its social, economic, ecological and political importance, Indonesia’s forest sector is particularly prone to conflicts. These conflicts are multilayered and occur at different levels and scales. At the national level, different ministries struggle for control over this sector, while different administrative bodies from the national, provincial and local level contest the allocation of concessions or the implementation of law. At the local level, conflicts over unclear territorial boundaries and the use of forest resources among different communities or between local communities and operators of mining or palm oil concessions are common.

The recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights both at the local and national level is promoting efforts to resolve such conflicts. In Malinau, East Kalimantan, the director of Kayan Mentarang National Park, for instance, confirms a paradigm shift in traditional park management from exclusion towards an active inclusion of indigenous groups living within the forest and on the forest periphery. For example, a forum for the communication of indigenous groups’ rights had been established in the district. Besides discussions about conflict resolution and challenges resulting from ethnic tensions, the organization achieved changing the status of a local protected area into a national park. Based on a broad civil society initiative, the Ministry of Forests recently approved a national roadmap for strengthening community rights. It not only foresees the exact mapping of the country’s entire forest area, but also the establishment of standard procedures for conflict resolution as well as the expansion of community forest areas and social forestry.

Despite such positive examples, district authorities and local communities still often lack skills in conflict resolution and communication. Another worrying development is the growing disappointment and uncertainty created by countless Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) pilot projects that have not yet generated the promised and expected benefits for the communities involved.