A case for maintaining biological diversity by Prof. Muhammad Hatta and Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf can, and should, be reinforced with clearer priorities and indicators.
The teeming species in Indonesia is just the beginning.
Indonesia has a diverse ecosystem including coral reef, and tropical forests. The extent and nature of its peat swamp forests, sea grasses, and mangroves are among the most significant in the world.
Valuing these less popular ecosystems, and services they provide, is needed to reverse the trend.
Biodiversity should also recognize “bio-culture” as important element, especially concerning traditional way of life of diminishing stewards of Indonesian forests. For instance, in Papua, where about 260 indigenous communities maintain ecosystem dialogue, and have solid knowledge about how to live in balance with nature.
Whereas the establishment of protected areas is to be applauded, a more critical approach must be adopted.
For instance, while establishment of protected areas proliferated, Indonesia is losing many of its forests, with experts saying that only 5 percent of forested land remains. The notion that biosphere reserves in Indonesia are effective is yet to be proven.
A wonderful achievement for the country should not rest in how much land and water it is protecting on paper. Priorities should outline how much degradation of ecosystems is halted, and how much restoration takes place.
It is good news that the Environment Ministry has also increased the number of flora and fauna bred in captivity, from 171 species in 2006 to 416 species in 2008. However, in terms of conserving the species, it is more important to take on board how many species are being released into the wild. And more importantly, how much habitat is preserved to conserve as many species as possible. Conservation in natural habitats is the so-called diversification of stock.
It is misleading to attribute the loss of Indonesian forests to global trends, because clearly deforestation and degradation is ultimately related to multiple-sector governance of the state. The government needs to be more proactive and responsible for Indonesian biodiversity. This means that the Environment Ministry should be able to convince other ministries and agencies about the benefits of protecting biodiversity, especially in economic terms.
Sustainable consumption and production is important for biodiversity. Standard practice, including environmentally sustainable and socially ethical practice by setting shared standards, is also important. And yet, many scientists, let alone policy makers, failed to recognize that poverty reduction is a key driver of biodiversity reduction. A whole economic approach needs to be adopted to halt biodiversity loss.
The ministry should be able to formulate priority targets and sound knowledge. Eventually, it should realize that the environment should not only be a sector, but an integral part of development.
Sound targets and indicators are only part of the sound knowledge needed to establish good governance.
The writer is a member of Commission VII of the House of Representatives.
